Quidel Corp. of San Diego on Tuesday said it will jointlydevelop with Fujirebio Inc. a rapid fecal occult blood (FOB)test to detect gastrointestinal disorders ranging from ulcersto colorectal cancer.

The test, which can be performed in a physician's office, willcombine Fujirebio's antibodies that bind to human hemoglobinwith Quidel's proprietary delivery system. Fujirebio alreadymarkets a laboratory FOB test, which detects blood cells infeces. More than 50 million tests are performed worldwideeach year, with a market valued at $100 million.

Chemical tests frequently give false positives if patients haveeaten red meat or certain vegetables or have taken drugs.

Tokyo-based Fujirebio will market the test in Japan and willco-market it in the United States with Quidel. Fujirebio hashad exclusive distribution rights in Japan for Quidel's allergyand autoimmune product lines since 1988.

Quidel stock (NASDAQ:QDEL) closed unchanged at $4.75 onTuesday.

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