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$PSID & #ZikaVirus PositiveID Corporation ("PositiveID" or "Company") (OTCQB:PSID), a life sciences company focused on detection and diagnostics, announced today that it has published a white paper and data on its successful detection of the Zika virus on its Firefly Dx polymerase chain reaction ("PCR") breadboard prototype pathogen detection system ("prototype system"). The white paper can be found in the Research and White Papers section of PositiveID's website or by clicking here.

PositiveID used GenArraytion Inc.'s Aedes Aegypti MultiFLEX™ PCR test, which targets four genetic regions of the Zika virus, on PositiveID's Firefly Dx prototype system. PositiveID is developing the Firefly Dx prototype system to be a handheld, fully automated, lab quality device able to detect bio-threats at the point of need in less than 30 minutes. Currently, PCR tests are run on large lab equipment and take a minimum of four hours to deliver results. A design advantage of Firefly Dx is that it does not require additional equipment or separate steps for sample preparation and purification, unlike current lab-based equipment, thus reducing time to results as well as cost per test. In addition, there is significantly less chance of sample contamination compared to existing testing methods.

"Testing for Zika virus and other disease outbreaks quickly and cost-effectively at the point of need is critical for stopping further transmission," stated William J. Caragol, Chairman and CEO of PositiveID. "Unfortunately, as is often the case, because lab-based testing demands both significant time and financial resources, many people are not being tested at the point of need, allowing the spread of an infection to continue."

Zika is a fever-causing virus transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito that can cause microcephaly, a serious congenital condition in which babies are born with head and brain abnormalities, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can result in paralysis.

In addition to Zika virus, the Firefly Dx prototype system has also successfully detected a number of other pathogenic organisms including Ebola, E. coli, influenza, MRSA, MSSA, C. diff and others.

http://investors.positiveidcorp.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=999720