Hycor Gets OK to Sell Autoimmune Tests

IRVINE — Hycor Biomedical Inc. said it has received federal regulators’ approval to sell four of its tests for autoimmune diseases.

The maker of medical diagnostic products sees opportunities for strong sales growth in the emerging worldwide marketplace for such tests. Richard D. Hamill, its chairman and chief executive, estimated that demand will grow as much as 20% a year for the next few years.

The kits are used in blood tests for ailments, such as rheumatoid arthritis, in which a person’s body produces an antibody against itself. Hycor also is awaiting approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration to market five other such tests. Meanwhile, in European markets, where regulatory hurdles are lower or nonexistent, the company is introducing all nine of the products.