Delphi Bioscience partnered with a network of European and African university scientists in a study entitled: “Characterization of novel microbicide safety biomarkers in East and South Africa”. The Delphi Screener, an innovative medical device to collect vaginal samples, was made available for use within this study. A total of 60 Rwandan women used the Screener on two different occasions. The study demonstrated that the Delphi Screener is highly appreciated by women to collect vaginal samples themselves. The results of the study were recently presented in Sydney, Australia, at the Microbicides 2012 conference.

Dr. Janneke van de Wijgert, Associate Professor at the Academic Medical Centre of the University of Amsterdam, explains: “We have recruited women who are regularly tested for vaginal infections to participate in the study. It was the first time that the Delphi Screener was introduced to these women to enable them to take vaginal samples themselves. As the women had never done this before, they obviously felt unaccustomed to the process and had to get used to it. The results of the study show that the women are more then willing to practice self-testing. Moreover, the women find the Delphi Screener easy to use.”

The participants were also asked whether they prefer a system of self-sampling to having the traditional cervical smear taken with a speculum. A large majority of the women indicated that they prefer using the Delphi Screener. With that, the Delphi Screener seems to be the perfect, female friendly alternative for both doctors and women to take samples.

Dr Maarten Wiegerinck, Chief Scientific Officer at Delphi Bioscience, is enthusiastic about the results and the fact that women in Africa are positive about the convenience offered by the Delphi Screener. Dr. Wiegerinck:

“The results in Rwanda coincide with the excellent results obtained through acceptance studies conducted for the Delphi Screener in the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore and the US”

For questions concerning this press release please contact:

Marlisa Meijerink, Delphi Bioscience,

by e-mail: mm@delphi-bioscience.com

or by telephone: +31(0)6-52386460