TRINITY Biotech, the Nasdaq listed Irish biotechnology company, has linked up with the American company, Calypte Biomedical, for a joint research and development programme to develop a rapid one step HIV test on urine samples. In a statement, Calypte said the test would be as simple to perform as a home pregnancy test and would provide results in as little as 10 minutes.

"We are very excited about the prospects for a rapid urine HIV test. By combining each company's unique talents, we expect to create a test which is not only accurate, but simple enough and fast enough to address a wide variety of HIV testing needs worldwide," Trinity's chief executive, Mr Ronan O Caoimh, stated.