Bio-Rad launches rheumatoid arthritis diagnostic test BioPlex 2200

BioPlex 2200 system to diagnostic test to detect rheumatoid arthritis has been launched in markets by Axis-Shield and Bio-Rad.

BioPlex 2200 is meant for the early detection of rheumatoid arthritis. It measures anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) in the blood.

Anti-CCP is a novel marker that has been shown to have superior specificity in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The assay, which will run on Bio-Rad’s BioPlex 2200 system, measures anti-CCP. The BioPlex 2200 Anti-CCP kit is based on Axis-Shield’s proprietary anti-CCP technology.

The assay is available for sale in certain countries outside the U.S.

“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 anti-CCP test assay will add to the list of autoimmune tests on the BioPlex 2200 system.

The measurement of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies has recently been cited as a key parameter in the definitive diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis by the influential American College of Rheumatology.

The BioPlex 2200 system is a fully automated, random-access multiplex testing platform with an assay menu targeting autoimmune diagnostics and infectious diseases.

BioPlex 2200 Anti-CCP kit is pending clearance by US FDA.

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc manufactures a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets.

Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations.

Bio-Rad had revenues exceeding $1.7 billion in 2008.

Axis-Shield is an international in vitro diagnostics company, headquartered in Dundee with R&D and manufacturing bases in Dundee and Oslo.

Axis-Shield  specialises in the supply of instruments and tests for the rapidly growing physician’s office testing market and the development, manufacture and marketing of innovative proprietary diagnostics kits in areas of clinical need, including cardiovascular and neurological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes.