Food allergy tests created in Alva will soon hit the shelves in China after state marketing approval was received yesterday.
Omega Diagnostics, which is based in Hillfoot Business Village, said its Food Detective self-test kits had been given the green light by China’s food and drug administration.
The AIM-listed company said the kit had been specially adapted for the Chinese market, and would test an individual’s reaction to 14 common food types.
It will be distributed by Chinese firm HOB Biotech under an existing distribution agreement which will run for five years.
HOB is already China’s market leader in allergy testing and food intolerance testing.
It commands a 70% market share.
Chinese registration for the device has long been one of the company’s aims as it seeks to expand its distribution into other developing economies.
“Today’s news is positive although expected, and sales should commence in early 2013,” said Seymour Pierce analyst Robin Campbell.
Components will be exported from Omega’s Scottish manufacturing facility at Alva ahead of final manufacture in China.
