Multi-Year Agreement Makes Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., a Primary Supplier for Blood Screening and Typing Products
Raritan, NJ (June 18, 2003) -- Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, announced today it has been awarded a multi-year contract by the American Red Cross as a primary supplier of tests for infectious disease, blood typing and antibody detection used to screen donated blood. These tests are used for ABO/ Rh determination, and for the detection of hepatitis B and C and red cell antibodies.
“The top priority of the American Red Cross is the safety and availability of the nation’s blood supply. This agreement gives the Red Cross access to improved technology which can only serve to enhance the safety and availability of blood for patients who need it,” said Richard Platte, vice president of National Testing and Reference Laboratories for the American Red Cross.
"Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., and the American Red Cross have a mutual long-standing commitment to the safety of the blood supply,” said Catherine Burzik, president, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. “We are proud to be the only company that can offer both blood screening and blood typing products to U.S. donor centers.”
As part of this new contract, the American Red Cross, which tests approximately 7.5 million units of blood per year, will fully automate their infectious disease and antibody screening laboratories using the Ortho Summit™ System and the ID-Micro Typing System™ (ID-MTS) Gel Test™. The Ortho Summit™ System is the only fully automated system that performs all FDA-required viral screening tests and comprehensively documents the process. The performance is unmatched in small, mid-size and large-volume screening laboratories. The Gel Test™ is used in more than 1,800 hospitals and donor centers in North America to help ensure safe and effective blood transfusions.
“Our commitment to transfusion medicine is to provide efficient and compliant automation platforms to help ensure the safety of the blood supply,” said Tony Zezzo, vice president and general manager, Americas. “We look forward to working with the American Red Cross to implement these platforms into their laboratories.”
Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., is a leading provider of high-value diagnostic solutions for the global health care community. Committed to developing the most advanced tests for early detection or diagnosis of disease, the Company brings products to market that provide timely information and help to facilitate better medical decisions. Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., also provides blood screening and typing products that help to ensure the safety of the world’s blood supply. In addition, through its patented micro slide and enhanced chemiluminescence technologies, the Company transformed the way that clinical laboratories perform testing. Worldwide, health care professionals rely on Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., for innovative diagnostic solutions that promote effective diagnoses and enhanced patient care.
The American Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply to patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country through its national network. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood. The Red Cross must collect blood donations each and every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients and children with blood disorders and works to accomplish this through its 36 Blood Services regions. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit www.blood.givelife.org today to make your appointment to give the gift of life.
