NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Molecular diagnostics firm Cepheid today said that it has received the CE Mark for its test that rapidly identifies the vanA and/or vanB genes, which are most commonly associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococci.
The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based firm also said that it has launched the Xpert vanA/vanB test, which provides results in 45 minutes and runs on the company’s GeneXpert System. It is the first test developed and manufactured by Cepheid’s Swedish subsidiary, Cepheid AB.
The test will compete with another molecular diagnostic test, the BD GeneOhm VanR assay, which also detects vanA and vanB genes and is sold by Becton Dickinson. BD received the CE Mark for its test earlier this year.
Cepheid cited figures from the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System showing that VRE outbreaks increased in Europe from 3.3 percent in 2001 to 7.8 percent in 2004. Immunocompromised patients are at particular risk for VRE infections, which can cause wound, urinary tract, and intraabdominal infections, in addition to bacteremia and endocarditis.
“A rapid test for detection of drug resistance genes associated with VRE has the potential to significantly improve the way hospital surveillance is done for this group of organisms,” Fred Tenover, senior director of scientific affairs at Cepheid, said in a statement.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Telechem, BioSystems International to Collaborate on Proteome Microarray
NEW YORK – Integrated Media Holdings today said that its wholly owned subsidiary, Telechem International, has entered into an exclusive agreement with BioSystems International to make and sell microarrays featuring antibodies that identify proteins uniquely expressed in human plasma.
Under the pact, BSI will provide normal human plasma-profiling monoclonal antibodies. Telechem, which also operates under the name Arrayit, will use its microarray technology to print the antibodies onto glass slides. It also will market the Human Plasma Proteome Microarray through its existing network of worldwide marketing partners.
“This unique approach of using novel antibodies to detect human plasma proteins will speed the research and identification of biomarkers for early-stage disease diagnostics,” Telechem CEO Rene Schena said in a statement.
The partners expect the first microarrays from the collaboration to be available next quarter.
Source: GenomeWeb News
Under the pact, BSI will provide normal human plasma-profiling monoclonal antibodies. Telechem, which also operates under the name Arrayit, will use its microarray technology to print the antibodies onto glass slides. It also will market the Human Plasma Proteome Microarray through its existing network of worldwide marketing partners.
“This unique approach of using novel antibodies to detect human plasma proteins will speed the research and identification of biomarkers for early-stage disease diagnostics,” Telechem CEO Rene Schena said in a statement.
The partners expect the first microarrays from the collaboration to be available next quarter.
Source: GenomeWeb News
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