EKF Highlights Growing Product Portfolio at AACC 2014 Meeting

EKF Diagnostics (Cardiff, UK), a global diagnostics company, is highlighting the expanding product portfolio of its subsidiary Stanbio Laboratory (Boerne, TX, USA) at AACC 2014. EKF Diagnostics has distributors in more than 70 locations around the globe, multinational research and manufacturing facilities, and teams of experienced analysts and engineers in Germany, Ireland, USA, and the UK.

In addition to demonstrating the success of current products, including Stanbio’s ß-hemoglobin (HB) assay technology and EKF Molecular’s Pointman technology, new products will be introduced at AACC. These latest introductions result from EKF’s recent acquisition of Separation Technology Inc. (STI) and DiaSpect Medical.

The diagnostic effectiveness of Stanbio’s enzymatic Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (ß-HB) LiquiColor assay is driving its acceptance in hospital laboratories across the USA as the new standard of care in ketosis testing. More than 850 (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. This 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 analyzers from twenty different manufacturers. A point-of-care (POC) option is also available in the form of the STAT-Site M ß-HB strip-based testing system.

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 the technology is far greater than existing polymerase chain reaction (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.

To be previewed at AACC, the palm-sized DiaSpect is a fast HB measurement system giving laboratory quality performance for anemia screening in any environment. Delivering results in 1-2 seconds, the analyzer is CE marked and has been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Silver Spring, MD, USA) for approval.

The PlasmaPrep-12 centrifuge is ideal for use in both the hospital and laboratory. It is designed for STAT serum/plasma separation and is suitable for coagulation studies. Enabling fast blood separation and easy to use, it is controlled by a microprocessor with four preprogrammed 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, "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.”

Related Links:
EKF Diagnostics
Stanbio Laboratory