SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date
of
Report (Date of earliest event reported) January
12, 2006
CHEMBIO
DIAGNOSTIC, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Nevada
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0-30379
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88-0425691
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(State
or other jurisdiction
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS
Employer
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of
Incorporation)
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Identification
Number)
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3661
Horseblock Road
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Medford,
NY 11763
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(Address
of principal executive offices)
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631-924-1135
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(Registrant’s
Telephone Number)
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N/A
(Former
name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check
the
appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
provisions:
o Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)
o Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c)
ITEM
7.01. Regulation FD Disclosures.
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On
January 12, 2006 the Registrant issued the press release titled
“Chembio
Diagnostics Selected by President Clinton’s HIV/AIDS Initiative To Make
Available Rapid HIV Test Kits to 50 Countries on 4 Continents” included
herein as Exhibit 99.1.
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ITEM
9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c) Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
Date:
January 13, 2006 Chembio
Diagnostics, Inc.
By:
/s/
Lawrence A. Siebert
Lawrence
A. Siebert
Chief
Executive Officer
Exhibit
99.1 Press Release
Chembio
Diagnostics Selected by President Clinton’s HIV/AIDS Initiative
To
Make Available Rapid HIV Test Kits to 50 Countries on 4 Continents
MEDFORD,
N.Y. - January 12, 2006 - As part of an effort to help improve the lives
of the
estimated 40 million people worldwide living with HIV, 90% of whom are not
even
aware they are HIV-infected, Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (OTCBB: CEMI) has
been
selected by the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (“CHAI”), spearheaded by
former President Bill Clinton, to make available rapid HIV tests that will
be
used to detect the infection easily and cost effectively.
The
announcement was made today at a press conference in which President Clinton
and
members of his CHAI team discussed the importance of reaching out to those
in
need by ramping up the availability of rapid tests for AIDS, while keeping
the
costs affordable. President Clinton explained that Chembio and the three
other
chosen companies are helping to make this possible through their reasonable
pricing and proficiency in the face of this enormous need. It was estimated
that, to reach treatment targets, at least 200 million HIV tests will be
necessary over the next four years.
Larry
Siebert, President and CEO of Chembio Diagnostics, which is involved in the
development, manufacture and marketing of rapid tests for the detection of
HIV,
tuberculosis and other diseases, said: “The missions of Chembio and CHAI, to
help wipe out the scourge of AIDS worldwide, are closely aligned. Thus we
are
extremely proud to be part of the Clinton HIV initiative, working with such
a
dedicated leader as President Clinton, his team, and our fellow companies
in
this critical initiative.”
Those
served by this far-reaching initiative are members of the CHAI Procurement
Consortium, which is currently comprised of 50 countries in Africa, Asia,
Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. The HIV-infected populations
in
these countries account for three-quarters of the global need for
anti-retroviral treatment.
About
the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative
Since
2002, the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative has been assisting countries
in
implementing large-scale, integrated care, treatment and prevention programs.
It
partners with 20 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. Individual
governments take the lead and the Foundation provides technical assistance,
mobilizes human and financial resources, and facilitates the sharing of best
practices across projects. The Foundation also provides access to reduced
prices
for HIV/AIDS drugs and diagnostics to a total of 50 countries.
In
addition, the HIV/AIDS Initiative launched in April 2005 pediatric and rural
programs. The pediatric program aims to assist countries implement widespread
treatment for children living with HIV/AIDS, beginning with a program to
donate
ARV treatment for 10,000 children in the program’s first year - approximately
doubling the number of children on treatment in developing countries outside
of
Brazil and Thailand. The rural program endeavors to extend access to
high-quality care and treatment to people living beyond the reach of traditional
healthcare services; in Rwanda, the rural program partners with Partners
In
Health.
The
HIV/AIDS Initiative relies on hundreds of part-time and full-time volunteers;
there are presently more than 300 people in developing countries and the
U.S.
working for the Initiative.
For
his
leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, President Clinton has been honored
with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Award for Humanitarian Contributions to
the
Health of Humankind from the National Foundation for Infectious Disease as
well
as the 2005 Pasteur Foundation Humanitarian Award.
For
more
information please go to http://www.clintonfoundation.org
.
Information
regarding the specific agreement with Chembio for rapid tests and the transcript
of President Clinton’s press conference on January 12, 2006 with Chembio can be
found at http://www.clintonfoundation.org/cf-pgm-hs-ai-home.htm
About
Chembio
Chembio
Diagnostics, Inc. (Chembio) possesses expertise in the development and
manufacturing of rapid test products for various infectious diseases, including
HIV, Tuberculosis and Chagas Disease. References to Chembio Diagnostics,
Inc.
may actually refer to Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Inc.; the 100%-owned
subsidiary of Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. Chembio is located at 3661 Horseblock
Road, Medford, NY 11763.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Statements
contained herein that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking
statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current
expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements reflect
management's current views, are based on certain assumptions and involve
risks
and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially
from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors,
and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited
to
Chembio's ability to obtain additional financing and the demand for Chembio's
products. Chembio undertakes no obligation to publicly update these
forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur
after
the date hereof or to reflect any change in Chembio's expectations with regard
to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Factors that may impact Chembio's success are more fully disclosed in Chembio's
most recent public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Contact:
Vince
Daniels/James Carbonara
Media,
please contact Judy Katz
The
Investor Relations Group
212-825-3210