EKF Diagnostics’ Growing Product Portfolio Highlighted at AACC 2014

From early detection of ketosis to cancer mutation testing in whole blood

EKF Diagnostics, the global diagnostics company, highlighted its expanding product portfolio on its subsidiary Stanbio Laboratory’s booth at the AACC Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago, USA, July 29-31.

In addition to demonstrating success of current products, including Stanbio’s ß-HB assay technology and EKF Molecular’s PointMan™ technology, new products were also introduced at AACC. These latest introductions are a result of EKF’s recent acquisition of Separation Technology Inc. (STI) and DiaSpect Medical.

Accurate and specific ketoacidosis results

The diagnostic effectiveness of Stanbio’s enzymatic Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (ß-HB) LiquiColor® assay is rapidly driving its acceptance in hospital laboratories across the USA as the new standard of care in ketosis testing. Over 850 (representing 20%) of US hospitals are now using the assay for accurate, specific and quantitative testing of this main ketone produced during ketosis. Consequently, physicians can make better informed clinical decisions which is changing the way hospitals manage patients displaying symptoms of ketoacidosis.

The liquid-stable LiquiColor ß-HB reagent can be used on open channel chemistry analysers from twenty different manufacturers. A point-of-care option is also available in the form of the STAT-Site® M ß-HB strip-based testing system.

Enabling blood sampling for cancer patient monitoring

Since its introduction last year, PointMan™ DNA enrichment technology has now been shown to be sensitive enough to enable the use of a blood sample to assess the mutation status of a cancer patient. Recent studies have demonstrated that the sensitivity of PointMan technology is far greater than existing PCR technology. PointMan can detect 1 mutant gene in 10,000 normal gene copies, whereas competing technologies can only detect 1 in 100. This maximizes the use of smaller biopsy samples and also allows the multiplexing of mutations in a single test rather than many individual tests.

New EKF product introductions

Also previewed at AACC, the new palm-sized DiaSpect^TM is the world’s fastest Hemoglobin measurement system giving laboratory quality performance for anemia screening in any environment. Delivering results in 1-2 seconds, this analyzer is CE marked and is currently undergoing FDA approval.

The new PlasmaPrep™-12 centrifuge was launched by EKF at AACC. Ideal for use in both the hospital and laboratory, the PlasmaPrep-12 is designed for STAT serum/plasma separation and is perfect for coagulation studies. Enabling fast blood separation and easy to use, it is controlled by a microprocessor with four pre-programed spin times. These include the Platelet Poor Plasma mode providing serum or plasma separations in three minutes and the Platelet Rich Plasma mode providing platelet rich plasma in just 30 seconds.

Julian Baines, CEO of EKF, commented, “We have strengthened EKF’s product and services offering over the past year through recent acquisitions and product development. This positions EKF at the forefront of point-of-care hematology testing provision and also, through Stanbio, as a leading clinical chemistry reagent provider. EKF now offers a comprehensive and cost-effective product range, as well as meaningfully participating in personalized medicine; an area which is quickly becoming key within the IVD industry.”

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Image Caption: The new PlasmaPrep™-12 centrifuge was launched by EKF Diagnostics at AACC.