Innovation Stories

Abbott — HIV Blood Test

Blood Samples for Testing

Dr. Wallace C. Abbott, a Chicago physician and drug store proprietor, began efforts that led to the formation of Abbott Laboratories. During World War I Abbott produced drugs that were no longer available from German manufacturers, including procaine - a substitute for novocaine - and during World War II the company was one of five U.S.-based companies that assisted Great Britain in the production of penicillin. In 1985, Abbott developed the first HIV blood screening test, greatly reducing the risk of transmitting HIV infection through blood transfusion.

Later, in 1996, Abbott released an HIV antigen assay that detects the virus’s antigen. This ground-breaking test is now widely used to screen the nation’s blood supply.