BIOTHREAT DETECTION SYSTEM SELECTED BY FIRST RESPONDERS

Detroit and Honolulu emergency first response teams have selected Cepheid's GeneXpert System to provide molecular diagnostics for biothreat detection. The system will provide mobile Anthrax detection as it purifies, concentrates, detects and identifies targeted nucleic acid sequences, delivering answers from unprocessed samples in minutes.

"As more than 100,000 visitors traveled to the Detroit metro area this month, the State Regional Hazmat Response Team needed a solution to investigate potential biothreat attacks delivering accurate results in minutes, not hours," said Gary Sharp of the Independence Fire Department. "The GeneXpert System proved to be the ideal solution. Non-scientific personnel can operate the test and easily read the result, obtaining fast, accurate information to make informed decisions on scene."