Axis-Shield plc announces launch of Anti-CCP assay for Abbott's AxSYM Platform

Axis-Shield, the international in vitro diagnostics company, today announces that it has completed development of a test for anti-CCP antibodies for use on the widely-placed AxSYM® analyzer from Abbott.

The test being launched today in European and other non-US markets is manufactured by Axis-Shield at its Dundee facility, as part of the AxSYM® xtra programme, in which Axis-Shield has contracted to produce a number of new markers for Abbott’s successful AxSYM® immunoassay platform. Anti-CCP is becoming increasingly recognized as a marker of choice in the earlier diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its improved management, showing better diagnostic accuracy than existing tests. Published reports indicate anti-CCP is present very early in the disease and that levels can predict disease severity.

This proprietary test will be the third new Axis-Shield-labelled assay for the AxSYM® platform launched in the last 6 months, along side tests for D-dimer (for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and Active-B12 (for effective determination of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency). The AxSYM® system is used in hospital and clinical laboratories worldwide and is a very versatile, high throughput analyzer with a broad assay menu.

Svein Lien, Axis-Shield Chief Executive Officer commented “We are pleased to be able to announce the launch of this important assay for use on the AxSYM® platform, as anti-CCP offers significant benefits over conventional rheumatoid factor in RA. Earlier disease diagnosis facilitates improved treatment options and offers substantial patient benefits. We believe the availability of this test on a popular automated system will promote uptake of anti-CCP, particularly as increasing numbers of test requests are received by laboratories worldwide.”