Medford firm to begin selling HIV tests directly this summer, dumps U.S. distributor

Chembio Diagnostics Inc. plans this summer to begin selling its rapid tests for HIV directly to clinics and others in the United States.

Chief executive John Sperzel announced Monday that the Medford-based company was assembling a domestic sales team.

He also said Chembio was ending an eight-year arrangement to have its HIV tests distributed exclusively by Alere Inc. The tests have been sold under the Clearview brand by Alere.

"We have already hired a director of sales, senior director of global marketing and started hiring sales representatives," Sperzel said.

Chembio will also sell directly in the United States its combination HIV and syphilis test.

The announcement came before Monday's stock market opening. In early trading on the Nasdaq exchange, Chembio shares were down slightly to $3.22.

Separately, Chembio announced last week that Katherine L. Davis would lead its board of directors. She has been a member since 2007.

Davis, who will be board chairman, owns Davis Design Group LLC, a public policy company. Previously, she served as Indiana's lieutenant governor and controller of Indianapolis.