AlereT to launch several new diagnostic solutions at MEDICA 2011

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Galway, Ireland, November 16 2011 – At MEDICA 2011, Düsseldorf, Germany 16-19th November, Alere will introduce five new products to its expansive portfolio of diagnostic solutions that are designed to deliver timely, actionable information and facilitate better decision-making in critical and point-of-care settings. These new products will be showcased on Alere’s booth at MEDICA (Hall 3, Stand C70) and include the:

•    Alere Triage® CardioRenal Panel
•    epoc® Blood Analysis System
•    NS-Plus iFOB Analyser 
•    Alere™ DDS® 2 Mobile Test System
•    Alere™ Instrumented Test System with DxLINK™ Technology

The Alere Triage® CardioRenal Panel is the only point-of-care test that combines BNP (B-type Natriuretic Peptide) and NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin) to aid in the real-time assessment of cardiac and renal status. The assay is run on the Alere Triage® MeterPro using anticoagulated whole blood or plasma specimens and provides results in 15 minutes.  A number of recent studies123 have shown that the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury might significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling more timely treatment decisions that prevent further renal damage.  Similarly, both BNP and NGAL may have utility in identifying heart failure patients at risk of hospital re-admission for acute decompensation4.

At MEDICA, Alere will also introduce the newest version of the epoc® Blood Analysis System. The first cost-effective, point-of-care testing solution that makes use of Smartcard Technology and wireless connectivity, epoc® provides real-time, lab-quality blood gas, electrolyte and metabolite results at the patient’s bedside. Testing run through a central lab can typically take up to 40 minutes to complete, but, with this platform, clinicians are able to access results immediately and make vital treatment decisions, all while minimizing operational costs.

Hosted on a new handset, today’s epoc® has even more functionality than its predecessor. Platform enhancements include a built-in 2D barcode, alpha-numeric keyboard and improved connectivity.  epoc®’s Microsoft Windows® Mobile® Operating System has also been upgraded, making the platform even faster, allowing for more robust use in a critical care environment, and optimizing screen resolution so results can be easily read.

In addition to a host of new diagnostic solutions that are intended for use in a critical care setting, Alere will be introducing the NS-Plus iFOB Analyser, a rapid fecal occult blood screening tool that aids in the detection of colorectal cancer. If diagnosed early, colorectal cancer can be a very manageable condition with high five-year survival rates.  Survival rates drop, however, the later individuals are diagnosed, and the costs associated with managing these patients go up due to the greater number of complications they experience.  The NS-Plus iFOB Analyser is easy to use and enables the rapid screening of up to 300 tests each hour, which, in turn, facilitates better patient management.

Alere will also be introducing two new solutions for drug testing at MEDICA this year.  These include the Alere™ DDS® 2 Mobile Test System, which is an innovative platform with a full-color screen, ergonomic design and flexible temperature range that can be used roadside for the rapid detection of abused substances in oral fluid samples, and the Alere™ Instrumented Test System with DxLINK™ Technology, which combines novel software with an image capture device to eliminate the subjectivity of interpreting visually read urine tests, maximize efficiencies, and improve quality control.

“All of our products are robust, easy to use, and accurate,” said Alere President for Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, David Walton, “We are pleased to be able to showcase them at Medica and are particularly excited to introduce our new products, which demonstrate our ability to develop novel solutions that address a variety of unmet healthcare needs and allow for more effective patient management and monitoring.”

By enabling clinicians to intervene earlier, Alere’s solutions ensure that individuals receive the right care when they need it, help avert the development of more serious conditions, and, ultimately, contribute to lower healthcare costs.

About Alere

By developing new capabilities in near-patient diagnosis, monitoring and health management, Alere enables individuals to take charge of improving their health and quality of life at home. Alere’s global leading products and services, as well as its new product development efforts, focus on infectious disease, cardiology, oncology, toxicology and women’s health. Alere is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.

For additional information on Alere, please visit www.alere.com

The Alere Logo, Alere, and Triage are trademarks of the Alere group of companies.