Dr. Sam Niedbala

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Dr. Sam Niedbala

November 1, 2017 | Written by

As co-founder and leading chemist of Bethlehem-based medical technology firm Orasure, Dr. Sam Niedbala pioneered new medical technology to quickly diagnose infectious diseases using oral swabs rather than blood tests.  Although the tests produced by Orasure since the early 2000’s have impacted the treatment of innumerable diseases in offices and homes alike, Orasure’s largest impact has been on the global AIDS epidemic.  Worldwide, millions have benefitted from the revolutionary testing procedures created by the Bethlehem technology firm.

Founded in 1987 by Niedbala and two close friends, Orasure began as a small start-up supported by local investment firms.  Through the guidance and expertise of its founders, the company soon grew from a niche medical laboratory into a publicly traded firm with an international reputation of innovation and a dedication to the global welfare of humanity.  Even today, the oral test first pioneered by Niedbala and Orasure remains the most widely used HIV/AIDS screening test used in the Western World.