VLI Corp. to Introduce New Pregnancy Test

VLI Corp., maker of the “Today” contraceptive sponge and the “Today” Personal Lubricant, will introduce a pregnancy test--manufactured by another company--to augment its product line.

Robert A. Elliot, president and chief executive officer of the Irvine-based company, declined to name the maker of the pregnancy test, saying that “we’ll put out a more definitive release in five weeks” when the deal becomes final.

VLI entered the deal, Elliot said, to bring another product on the market at minimal expense. The pregnancy test will be sold through the same food and drug chain outlets as VLI’s other products, Elliot said, adding that he hopes to market additional products from the same manufacturer in the future.

VLI, founded in 1976, posted a net loss of $1.4 million in fiscal year 1985, ended in December, on sales of $16.7 million. Elliot said the loss was the result of “advertising and marketing expenditures to raise awareness” of the company’s products.