rby-bird flu test kit

Rockeby Biomed Ltd (ASX code: RBY) yesterday announced the announcement on November 11 regarding the company's exclusive marketing and distribution rights to two rapid tests for bird flu had generated considerable interest worldwide.

Rockeby has also confirmed it has received the first stock of the test and is expected to begin distribution in southeast Asia by December 1.

The company is assessing a number of new opportunities following interest in the Rockeby Avian H5N1 Virus Antigen Test. These include:

* numerous requests for both products when shown at the Medica International Trade Fair and Congress in Dusseldorf, Germany;

* the supply of the poultry test to the largest poultry producer in Jordan, which handles about 10 million birds per year;

* a Japanese maker of veterinary medicinal products has expressed interest in distributing the Avian Influenza test in Japan and the Asian countries. It would apply for product registration of the test in Japan on Rockeby's behalf. The Japanese company has been engaged in production of recombinant vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza;

* the Indonesian Government's veterinary department; and
* a veterinary practice in East Malaysia that tends to

agricultural animals has expressed interest in obtaining the tests, or acting as the local distributor if the territory is not already covered.

"Rockeby's new avian flu test kits clearly meet a desperate need for a quick, reliable means of screening for infection.

"Companies and governments around the world are very keen to minimise the potential for bird flu infections within their flocks and its spread to humans," said Dr Sze-Wee Tan, chief executive of Rockeby.

"Our kits can assist them to achieve this goal."