EKF Diagnostics Growing Product Portfolio Highlighted at AACC 2014

Newswise — Cardiff, UK – 22nd July 2014 – EKF Diagnostics, the global diagnostics company, will be highlighting its expanding product portfolio on its subsidiary Stanbio Laboratory’s booth #1933 at the AACC Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago, USA, July 29-31. In addition to demonstrating success of current products, including Stanbio’s ß-HB assay technology and EKF Molecular’s Pointman technology, new products will be introduced at AACC. These latest introductions are a result of EKF’s recent acquisition of Separation Technology Inc. (STI) and DiaSpect Medical.

Accurate and specific ketoacidosis resultsThe diagnostic effectiveness of Stanbio’s enzymatic Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (ß-HB) LiquiColor® assay is rapidly driving its acceptance in hospital laboratories across the USA as the new standard of care in ketosis testing. Over 850 (representing 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 which 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 analysers from twenty different manufacturers. A point-of-care option is also available in the form of the STAT-Site® M ß-HB strip-based testing system.

Enabling blood sampling for cancer patient monitoringSince 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 PointMan technology is far greater than existing 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.

New EKF product introductionsTo be previewed at AACC, the new palm-sized DiaSpect Tm is the world’s fastest Hemoglobin measurement system giving laboratory quality performance for anemia screening in any environment. Delivering results in 1-2 seconds, this analyzer is CE marked and is currently undergoing FDA approval.

The new PlasmaPrep™-12 centrifuge will be launched by EKF at AACC. Ideal for use in both the hospital and laboratory, the PlasmaPrep-12 is designed for STAT serum/plasma separation and is perfect for coagulation studies. Enabling fast blood separation and easy to use, it is controlled by a microprocessor with four pre-programed 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, “We have strengthened EKF’s product and services offering over the past year through recent acquisitions and product development. This positions EKF at the forefront of point-of-care hematology testing provision and also, through Stanbio, as a leading clinical chemistry reagent provider. 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.”

For more information on EKF Diagnostics, please visit www.ekfdiagnostics.com.

Editors’ notesAbout EKF Diagnosticswww.ekfdiagnostics.com EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc which includes the EKF Diagnostics, EKF Molecular, Stanbio Laboratory, Separation Technology Inc, Diaspect and Selah Genomics brands, specializes in the development, production and worldwide distribution of point-of-care blood analyzers for use in the detection and management of diabetes, anemia, lactate and kidney related diseases. Its new Molecular division focuses on molecular and companion diagnostics. EKF products are sold in more than 100 countries around the globe, offering over 30 specialist product lines across its brand portfolio.

Point-of-care diagnostics: EKF Diagnostics’ expertise covers the entire in vitro diagnostics chain, from fermentation and enzyme production, to liquid reagent manufacture, design and building of world-class diagnostic devices, and distribution of rapid test kits for infectious diseases and pregnancy. The EKF analyzer range is used widely in GP surgeries, pharmacies, blood banks, sports clinics, hospitals and laboratories for glucose, lactate, hemoglobin, hematocrit and HbA1c measurement.

Companion Diagnostics: In March 2013 EKF set up a new division to focus on molecular and companion diagnostics - EKF Molecular Diagnostics develops technologies for cancer gene detection. Through its acquisition of UK-based 360 Genomics and by offering innovative products with the potential to change current DNA extraction and detection practices, EKF is addressing the fast growing companion diagnostics market.

EKF Diagnostics’ strengths lie in its multi-national research and manufacturing facilities, teams of experienced analysts and engineers in Germany, Ireland, USA and the UK, and a board led by some of world’s foremost authorities in medical diagnostics.