Alere Introduces New POCT Products at Medica

Alere launched a range of new products at Medica in Dusseldorf last week including the NS-Plus iFOBT Analyzer and the Triage CardioRenal Panel for critical and point of care testing.

The NS-Plus iFOBT Analyzer is a new immunological fecal occult blood test for the detection of Hemoglobin in feces. This screening tool aids in the detection of colorectal cancer, early diagnosis of which can significantly improve survival rates. Later diagnosis causes survival rates to drop, and increases the cost of patient management as they experience more complications associated with the disease.

The NS-Plus iFOBT Analyzer relies on a colormetric reaction caused when colloidal gold-conjugated anti-human Hemoglobin polyclonal antibodies, react with human Hemoglobin in the feces. The easy to use test enables the rapid screening of up to 300 tests every hour and allows for continuous loading of specimens and reagents. The NS-iFOBT Analyzer facilitates better decision making and improves patient management.


The Alere Triage® MeterPro Analyzer is a testing platform that can be used in laboratories or point of care settings. The analyzer has a comprehensive test menu which includes cardiovascular, renal, toxicology, and women's health assays.

The latest panel for this analyzer was introduced at Medica last week, the Alere Triage® CardioRenal Panel is designed for use primarily in Emergency Departments. It is the only point of care test that combines BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide) and NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin) to aid in the real-time assessment of cardiac and renal status. The assay is run on the Alere Triage® MeterPro using anticoagulated whole blood or plasma specimens and provides results in 15 minutes.

Studies have shown that the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury might significantly improve patient outcome by enabling more timely treatment decisions that prevent further renal damage*. Both BNP and NGAL may play a role in identifying heart failure patients at risk of hospital re-admission for acute decompensation.

*Further details on the panels available for use with the Alere Triage® MeterPro Analyzer, and details of the above studies, can be found by following the company article link to the right of this page.

Sonia Nicholas, Clinical Diagnostics Editor