Schering-Plough and OraSure Technologies said they have entered a two-year deal to jointly develop and market a rapid oral test for the detection of hepatitis C virus antibodies.
Schering-Plough, a health care company, will reimburse OraSure for a portion of the costs the company incurs developing a test for what is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
OraSure, a maker of medical devices and diagnostic products that use its oral fluid technologies, already markets a rapid, oral HIV test.
Under the terms of the deal, OraSure will sell the product and retain the rights to market and sell the test throughout the United States, the companies said.
Tests sold to U.S. physicians' offices will carry both companies' brands, the companies said.