We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

New Pregnancy Assay Receives CE Marking and FDA Clearance

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 20 Jan 2014
Image: The new high standard \"Access Total βhCG (5th IS)\" assay for pregnancy determination from Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter).
Image: The new high standard \"Access Total βhCG (5th IS)\" assay for pregnancy determination from Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter).
The approved new pregnancy determination assay features a broad dynamic range and is the first to standardize to the World Health Organization's latest international standard.

To help move reproductive health management forward, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics of Beckman Coulter (Brea, CA, USA) has received the CE marking and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its new "Access Total βhCG (5th IS)" assay. It is the first βhCG assay standardized to the highly purified World Health Organization (WHO) 5th International Standard (IS) for glycoprotein chorionic gonadotropin. The βhCG assay is critical in routine and emergency diagnosis as it is frequently ordered on women of childbearing-age who require treatment, which could potentially be harmful to a fetus. The expanded utility of the assay has also been CE Mark approved for Down syndrome assessment during pregnancy.

“As the first manufacturer to standardize to the WHO 5th IS, the new βhCG assay is an example of Beckman Coulter’s continuing dedication to lead the way in this important diagnostic field,” said John Blackwood, senior vice president of Product Management for Beckman Coulter Diagnostics; “The new assay is just one example of the innovations that comprise Beckman Coulter’s reproductive health portfolio—the most comprehensive immunoassay reproductive panel available on the market.”

The assay features a broad dynamic range with automatic onboard dilution capability, reducing the need for manual sample dilutions. As a part of the standardization, reference ranges have been updated to include additional populations that include women over the age of 40, postmenopausal women, and men. Additionally, in response to changing laboratory environments and the challenges faced in collecting serum samples, Beckman Coulter has further improved the Total βhCG (5th IS) to make it more resilient to preanalytical factors.

"Access" reproductive solutions are part of a comprehensive assay menu featured on the Access and UniCel Immunoassay Systems.

Related Links:

Beckman Coulter


Platinum Member
Automated Coagulation Analyzer
Hemolumi H6
βeta-Hydroxybutyrate Reagent
β-Hydroxybutyrate LiquiColor®
Manual Pipetting Aid
Pipette Controllers macro
Gold Member
Nucleic Acid Extractor System
NEOS-96 XT

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: Figure 1 from Lim J, et al. “Amplification of RNA for Identification of Zika and HCV in Whole Blood.” Science Advances, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb6129. Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. Created in BioRender: https://BioRender.com/mr4p5qy.

Portable Test Detects Zika and Hepatitis C RNA from Whole Blood

Timely detection of Zika virus and hepatitis C is essential, but conventional testing often relies on centralized laboratories and complex sample processing. In regions with limited medical infrastructure,... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: These new ANC reference ranges can help clinicians more accurately interpret neutrophil counts, reduce unnecessary testing and treatment interruptions, and help support more equitable care. (Photo courtesy of the American Society of Hematology)

New Reference Ranges Clarify Normal Neutrophil Counts in Duffy-Null Patients

Duffy-null status is a common genetic trait associated with naturally lower circulating white blood cell counts. It affects about 10% of the U.S. population and more than 66% of people with African or... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: VITEK PRO combines microbial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing on a single platform to support routine microbiology workflows and antibiotic selection. (Photo courtesy of bioMérieux)

Automated Microbial Identification and Susceptibility System Gains FDA Clearance

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a leading global public health threat, causing an estimated 1.27 million deaths annually. The growing challenge of diagnosing and treating resistant infections highlights... Read more

Pathology

view channel
AI: Artificial intelligence; CNN: Convolutional neural networks; ResNet: Residual neural network. (Xing-hua Gao from The First Hospital of China Medical University, China Image Source Link: https://www.ovid.com/jnls/cmj/fulltext/10.1097/cm9.0000000000004154~deep-learning-based-computational-pathology-technologies)

Review Highlights Progress and Validation Needs for AI in Digital Pathology

Pathology remains the gold standard for disease diagnosis, but clinical laboratories face growing demands for faster, more reproducible diagnostic and prognostic workflows. Digital pathology based on whole-slide... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Siemens Healthineers has begun carving out its in vitro diagnostics business as a standalone company named Olyrian Diagnostics (Photo courtesy of Siemens Healthineers)

Siemens Healthineers Begins Transition Toward Standalone Olyrian Diagnostics Business

Siemens Healthineers has begun carving out its in vitro diagnostics business, which will operate as Olyrian Diagnostics. The new name will be introduced in stages as the business prepares to become a standalone... Read more