Life science research and clinical diagnostics products manufacturer, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc (NYSE: BIO) and London listed in-vitro diagnostics (“IVD”) specialist, Axis-Shield (LSE: ASD) jointly announced this morning the launch of Bio-Rad’s BioPlex 2200 Anti CCP test for the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis.
The assa will run on Bio-Rad's BioPlex(R) 2200 system, measuring anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (“CCP”) antibodies - a novel marker that has been shown to have “superior specificity” in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.
The BioPlex 2200 Anti-CCP kit is based on Axis-Shield's technology.
"The anti-CCP testing market is one of the fastest growing markets in autoimmune diagnostics," said John Goetz, Bio-Rad Vice President and Group Manager of Clinical Diagnostics. "The addition of this assay will add significantly to our growing menu of autoimmune tests on the BioPlex 2200 system."
"We are very pleased that Bio-Rad has reached this important commercial milestone in our agreement and believe that availability on the BioPlex system will help expand the market for this important early marker for this debilitating condition," said Ian Gilham, Axis-Shield CEO. "The measurement of these antibodies has recently been cited as a key parameter in the definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis by the influential American College of Rheumatology."
Initially the BioPlex 2200 Anti-CCP kit will be marketed in “certain countries” outside of the United States, as it is pending clearance by the FDA (Food & Drug Adminstration).