Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics received CE marking approval to sell the HIV Antigen/Antibody (Ag/Ab) Combo Assay for use on the ADVIA Centaur® and ADVIA Centaur® XP Immunoassay Systems, which now offer a complete HIV screening test menu allowing clinical laboratories in Europe to further consolidate infectious disease testing with other routine immunoassays.
The Siemens HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay, now available for sale in Europe, aids in the early detection and diagnosis of HIV infection by simultaneously detecting the presence of both the HIV viral protein (HIV-1 p24 antigen) and the antibodies produced in response to the HIV viral infection. The HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies bind to the HIV protein soon after infection, masking the presence of infection and making it difficult to diagnose. The ability to detect both the antigen and the responding antibodies simultaneously can increase the likelihood of early detection and treatment for HIV patients.
“Siemens continues to invest in the development of new tests that allow clinical laboratories to reduce costs, while enhancing the quality and timeliness of patient care,” said Dave Hickey, Executive Vice President, Central Laboratory and Global Product Development, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. “The introduction of the ADVIA Centaur HIV Ag/Ab combo assay is an example of our commitment to offer customers a broad range of high performance, fully automated HIV screening tests.”
The ADVIA Centaur HIV assays are developed, manufactured, and sold by Siemens for Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. The ADVIA Centaur Systems HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is not intended for testing or screening pooled specimens (from more than one individual), or for use in screening blood or plasma donors.
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. 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 optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2009 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 11.9 billion euros and profit of around 1.5 billion euros. For further information please visit: http://www.siemens.com/healthcare
