Abbott Laboratories said Monday that the Food and Drug Administration approved a new diagnostic test that allows for the detection of two sexually transmitted diseases.
Abbott’s RealTime Chlamydia trachomatis/neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT/NG) assay and Abbott’s m2000 System can detect gonorrhea and chlamydia, a disease that often goes untreated because of its lack of symptoms. “Because many people with chlamydia are co-infected with gonorrhea, it’s important to test for both diseases” at once, said Klara Abravaya, Abbott Molecular’s senior director of research and development.
The assay also detects a variant strain of chlamydia recently discovered in Sweden. No cases of the new strain have been reported in the U.S.
In 2008, more than 1.2 chlamydial infections were reported to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention.
Abbott said the FDA also approved a device for collection and “room-temperature” transportation of multiple samples called Multi-Collect Specimen Collection Kit.
Shares of North Chicago-based Abbott were up 13 cents, to $47.82 in late morning trading.
