Siemens Healthcare Limited launches new assay range to improve workload consolidation in the laboratory

Siemens Healthcare Limited has announced the launch of a range of new assays to be used on ADVIA Centaur^® and IMMULITE^® XPi 2000 systems. The range includes anti-CCP used as an aid in the evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and the first automated quantitative thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) assay used in the diagnosis of Graves’ disease.

The ADVIA Centaur anti-CCP assay is for use in the semi-quantitative determination of the IgG class of autoantibodies specific to cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) in human serum and plasma, aiding with the diagnosis of RA. The assay provides 96% specificity for an early accurate diagnosis of RA, ensuring improved patient care by allowing timely intervention and treatment.

The Siemens IMMULITE 2000 XPi thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) assay specifically detects thyroid stimulating antibodies, which are the hallmark of Graves' disease, unlike the commonly used TRAb assay which detects both stimulating and blocking antibodies. This makes the assay highly specific, to aid in the disease's diagnosis. With a clinical sensitivity and specificity of 98.3% and 99.7% respectively, it ensures laboratories can provide a fast, easy and specific diagnosis.

Allan Thompson, Product Manager, Immunoassay at Siemens Healthcare Limited states, “The addition of the new assays to our extensive range will help laboratory staff integrate testing into routine workflow, reducing the need for send-away testing. This enables laboratories to reduce operational costs and time, as well as becoming more productive and efficient. We will continue to evolve our portfolio of assays in line with customer demands and expectations.”

Siemens Healthcare Limited is also set to launch a further range of assays in the future. These will include the ADVIA Centaur holo-TC assay for improved resolution of vitamin B12 deficiency. The holo-TC assay, (also known as “Active B12”), measures the cobalamin attached to the carrier protein transcobalamin for a more accurate vitamin B12 deficiency diagnosis and better resolution of “grey zone” B12 results. In addition, an automated galectin-3 assay will be developed on the ADVIA Centaur to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure. ADVIA Centaur PAPP-A and Free Beta hCG will be launched for early Down Syndrome screening in the first trimester, as well as Beta-trace Protein on the BN™ II or BN ProSpec^® analysers a new biomarker for CSF leakage and residual renal function.

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics and medical information technology. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimising clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 43,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world www.siemens.co.uk/healthcare.