Shuwen Biotech to offer breakthrough preeclampsia detection device globally
PerkinElmer will distribute Shuwen’s diagnostic test for preeclampsia in over 100 countries
25 Feb 2020Shuwen Biotech a China-based leader in innovative diagnostics, has announced that PerkinElmer, Inc. will distribute Shuwen’s breakthrough diagnostic test for preeclampsia in over 100 countries around the globe, accounting for over 120 million pregnancies annually.
According to the WHO, almost 80,000 women die, and half a million pregnancies are lost each year from preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders. Preeclampsia affects 2–8% of pregnancies worldwide and in places such as Latin America, it represents the number one cause of maternal death. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases, symptoms of preeclampsia are not noticeable until it has progressed, emphasizing the major unmet need for an objective and effective test, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Shuwen's breakthrough preeclampsia detection kit is designed to be a highly accurate, urine-based, non-invasive point-of-care test, meaning no specialized instrumentation or equipment is needed to operate the test. The test is cost-effective, produces a result in less than three minutes and is currently available for sale in a number of markets. Clinical testing has shown the test to be over 95% accurate in diagnosing preeclampsia in women who are admitted to hospitals, regardless of reason for admission.
“PerkinElmer is committed to improving the lives of pregnant women and children globally, and this relationship helps us leverage our strong scientific and commercial network to offer Shuwen's innovative product to more women in need all over the world,” said Petra Furu, Ph.D., General Manager, Reproductive Health, PerkinElmer. “There is a global need for advanced diagnostic solutions for, and we believe this point-of-care test will help address this need with respect to preeclampsia."
Shuwen’s Chairman and CEO, Jay Z. Zhang, M.S., J.D., added: “Shuwen's core values are innovation, patent protection and international collaboration, and I am happy to see all three of these values are being realized through our collaboration with PerkinElmer. We are now able to expand the impact of our life-improving products to an unprecedented global scale. PerkinElmer has a strong track record of commitment to maternal-fetal health globally and we are proud to be working together."
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