US company plans home diagnosis kits

A US company plans to make hometesting kits to diagnose diseases available over the counter.

Akers Biosciences is in talks with Boots to develop a range of test kits.

The company, which is due to be floated on the Alternative Investment Market next Wednesday, has developed pen testing kits.

They can detect viruses such as HIV and chlamydia and conditions such as anaemia and lactose intolerance.

Akers chief executive and co-founder Dr Ray Akers says the kits will sell at between $10 (€11) and $15 (€16).

He set up the New Jersey-based company in 1989 with his father, Ray Akers Snr.

Dr Akers says there's a huge range of potential applications for the company's products, including sales to military and emergency services and developing countries.

He adds: "Our technology platform takes health testing and disease detection out of the laboratory direct into doctors' surgeries, pharmacies and people's homes.

"It allows us to offer low cost and easy to use tests, which give accurate and rapid results. The technology platform has tremendous potential to improve diagnostics and make tests accessible and affordable."