Abbott Gets Worldwide Rights to Market Platelet Test

Abbott (Abbott Park, IL, USA) has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Verax Biomedical Inc. (Worcester, MA, USA), whereby Abbott receives worldwide rights to market and distribute the Verax platelet Pan Genera Detection (PGD) test, which is currently being evaluated in clinical trials. The PGD test is an easy-to-use, disposable device designed to detect the presence of a broad range of bacterial contaminants in platelets just prior to transfusion. No additional terms of the agreement were disclosed.

The platelet PGD test is designed to target antigens found on all bacterial species known to be pathogenic to humans. It provides results in less than 30 minutes. Clinical studies of the test are currently ongoing and are expected to generate data for a 510(k) filing with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Verax Biomedical's PGD technology targets common antigens found on the surface of pathogenic bacteria.

Bacterial contamination in platelets and red blood cells represents the single greatest source of risk for lethal infections in transfusion medicine today. An estimated 10 million platelet units are transfused each year to patients in North America, Europe, and Asia, and experts estimate that as many as one in every 2,000 units could be contaminated with bacteria. To combat this risk, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) requires all its members to implement methods to limit and detect bacterial contamination in platelets. Current culture testing methods can take up to three days before results are available.

"Our partnership with Verax will allow us to provide our blood bank and hospital customers with an important test to address the risk of bacterial contamination in transfusion medicine, and further emphasizes Abbott's commitment to enhance the safety of the world's blood supply,” said Jeff Binder, senior vice president, diagnostic operations, Abbott.



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