NMS Pharmaceuticals Gets FDA Approval for New Kit

NMS Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Tuesday that it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to market a do-it-yourself kit for diagnosis of strep throat.

The approval limits sales of the kits to doctors only, but NMS plans later this year to apply for permission to market the kit to consumers as well, said a spokeswoman for the Newport Beach biotechnology company.

The potential market among doctors alone is about $60 million a year, she said, adding that shipments of the kit will begin within 30 days.