SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 19, 2018 (July 19, 2018)


CHEMBIO DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada
0-30379
88-0425691
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)

3661 Horseblock Road
Medford, NY 11763
(Address of principal executive offices)
631-924-1135
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company     ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

ITEM 7.01.
REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

(a)  On July 19, 2018, the Company engaged the firm of Pearl Meyer & Partners, LLC as compensation consultant to the Company for the purpose of reviewing the Company’s executive compensation plan and working with the Company to develop an updated executive compensation plan.

(b)  The Company has taken delivery and is currently undertaking validation testing of its first automated manufacturing line to produce DPP ® Assays.

ITEM 8.01.
OTHER EVENTS.

On July 19, 2018, the Company issued a press release titled “Chembio Diagnostics Appoints Christine Rousseau, Ph.D. as Vice President, Corporate Development”.  A copy of the press release is provided herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 9.01.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

Exhibits.
 
99.1
Press Release, dated July 19, 2018, titled “Chembio Diagnostics Appoints Christine Rousseau, Ph.D. as Vice President, Corporate Development”.
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

July 19, 2018
Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.
     
 
By:
/s/ John J. Sperzel III
   
John J. Sperzel III
   
Chief Executive Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
Description
Press Release, dated July 19, 2018, titled “Chembio Diagnostics Appoints Christine Rousseau, Ph.D. as Vice President, Corporate Development”.


Exhibit 99.1
 

Chembio Diagnostics Appoints Christine Rousseau, Ph.D. as
Vice President, Corporate Development

MEDFORD, NY, July 19, 2018 -- Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEMI), a leader in point-of-care ("POC") diagnostic testing, today announced the appointment of Christine M. Rousseau, Ph.D. as Vice President, Corporate Development, effective immediately. In this newly created position, Dr. Rousseau will focus on the Company’s POC infectious disease diagnostics strategy and execution, including HIV Self-Testing and Fever & Tropical Diseases, as well as technology collaborations that leverage the Company’s patented DPP ® technology platform and scientific expertise.

Prior to joining Chembio, Dr. Rousseau spent nine years at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, most recently serving as Senior Program Officer, Global Health, Integrated Technology Solutions. While there, she directed over $250 million in assets for the development, commercialization, and scale-up of immune, molecular and cellular diagnostic technologies, including a significant role in HIV Self-Testing. Previously, Dr. Rousseau spent ten years as a research scientist and faculty member at the University of Washington, with emphasis in the areas of HIV and HCV. Earlier in her career, she was a Senior Fellow at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and HIV Director & Founding Board Member of the Sustainable Sciences Institute.

“We believe our point-of-care products, including our patented DPP ® technology platform, have enormous potential in the infectious disease market and other markets that we are pursuing through collaborations,” stated John Sperzel, Chembio’s Chief Executive Officer. “Christine’s deep, global experience in the field of point-of-care testing for infectious diseases, coupled with her outstanding reputation and industry-wide relationships, make her an ideal candidate for this important new role.”

“I am excited to join Chembio’s leadership team at this key point in the Company’s history,” said Dr. Rousseau. “I look forward to contributing to the corporate strategy and its implementation, building on the significant accomplishments Chembio has already achieved.”

Dr. Rousseau received a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from University of California Berkeley, a M.S. in Epidemiology from the University of Washington, and a B.S. in Molecular Genetics from Ohio State University.

About Chembio Diagnostics
Chembio is a leading point-of-care diagnostics company focused on detecting and diagnosing infectious diseases. The company’s patented DPP ® technology platform, which uses a small drop of blood from the fingertip, provides high-quality, cost-effective results in 15-20 minutes. Coupled with Chembio’s extensive scientific expertise, its novel DPP ® technology offers broad market applications beyond infectious disease, a number of which are under active development with collaboration partners. Chembio’s products are sold globally, directly and through distributors, to hospitals and clinics, physician offices, clinical laboratories, public health organizations, government agencies, and consumers. Learn more at www.chembio.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained herein that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements, which are estimates only, reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, Chembio's ability to obtain additional financing and to obtain regulatory approvals in a timely manner, as well as the demand for Chembio's products. Chembio undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in Chembio's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events. Factors that may impact Chembio's success are more fully disclosed in Chembio's most recent public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media contacts:

Chembio Diagnostics
Lynn Pieper Lewis
Gilmartin Group
(415) 937-5402
investor@chembio.com