3M is First to Bring Automated Technology to Rapid Diagnostic Flu Test Market with...

3M is First to Bring Automated Technology to Rapid Diagnostic Flu Test Market with 3M(TM) Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test

- New test demonstrated superior analytical and clinical
sensitivity for the detection of both influenza A and B against
leading hospital competitor in clinical study -
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(Business Wire)--
Just in time for a new flu season, in which up to 20 percent of
Americans may be affected, 3M is announcing nationwide availability of
the 3M(TM) Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test, an innovation in the flu
diagnostics market. The 3M Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test is the first
rapid flu test to provide automated results. The automated technology
helps reduce user interpretation errors, which can lead to both false
negative or false positive results. The 3M Rapid Detection Flu A+B
Test will be able to deliver hospital and physician office
laboratories reliable and objective electronic results in 15 minutes.

"Bringing automation to the interpretation of influenza tests is a
key factor for the next generation of rapid flu tests," said Brian
Anderson, marketing manager, 3M Health Care. "Automating and storing
the objective result of a flu test will help increase laboratory
productivity and minimize the potential for human error, which can
contribute to improving patient outcomes."

Requiring less than three minutes of prep time, the 3M Rapid
Detection Flu A+B Test detects positive or negative results, and
differentiates influenza A and influenza B with results clearly
displayed on the 3M(TM) Rapid Detection Reader. In addition to
providing automated results, the technology also enables labs to
export data through laboratory information systems, further reducing
the potential for reporting error by eliminating the need for manual
recording and transferring of patient results. The test also reads and
stores lab results, giving lab technicians more flexibility in time
and test management.

"Properly interpreting test results is critical, especially
considering that most flu antiviral medications have a 48-hour
recommended therapeutic window for prescribing, so false-positives or
even delayed test results may result in misapplication of therapy or
may reduce its effectiveness," said Christine Ginocchio, PhD.,
Director of Microbiology, Virology and Molecular Diagnostics at North
Shore Long Island Jewish Health System. "Having an automated reader
almost eliminates the potential for misinterpreting results, leading
to a faster and more informed treatment decision, which results in
better patient outcomes."

A recent study evaluated the 3M Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test
against the leading hospital brand and two conventional methods of
diagnosing influenza A and B, direct fluorescent antibody staining
(DFA) (1.5 to 3 hours for results) and rapid cell culture (R-Mix) (24
to 48 hours for results). Compared to the leading hospital brand, the
3M Rapid Detection Flu Test demonstrated superior analytical and
clinical sensitivity for the detection of both influenza A and B.
Further, the study concluded that the automated reading of test
results eliminated the potential for user misreading or
misinterpretation of test results.

Flu Prevalence

Influenza is a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening
viral respiratory infection affecting millions of Americans annually.
It is estimated that every year, up to 20 percent of the U.S.
population becomes ill with "the flu".(1) In many populations, flu can
lead to severe complications and results in more than 200,000
hospitalizations and approximately 36,000 deaths each year.(2)

About 3M Health Care

Since inventing Ioban(TM) antimicrobial incise surgical drapes
more than 30 years ago, 3M has been a worldwide leader in developing
health care products and services that address infection control. 3M
Health Care, one of 3M's six major business segments, is dedicated to
improving the practice, delivery and outcome of patient care and is a
leading provider of solutions for medical, oral care, drug delivery
and health information markets.

For more information on the 3M(TM) Rapid Detection Flu A+B Test,
please visit www.howtocatchtheflu.com/19.

3M and Ioban are trademarks of 3M.

(1) CDC. Influenza: The Disease. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm

(2) CDC. Influenza: The Disease. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease.htm

3M
Stephanie Sanderson, 651-733-8588
sjsanderson@mmm.com
or
Molly Rabinovitz, 312-646-6294
WeissComm Partners
mrabinovitz@wcpglobal.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008