Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics Inks Agreement with KreLo Medical Diagnostics to Expand Thyroid Immunoassay Menu
December 17 2007 - 9:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Third-Generation TRAb Assay Delivers Unprecedented Specificity for
Diagnosing Graves' Disease DEERFIELD, Ill., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ --
Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics
(http://www.siemens.com/diagnostics) announced that it has signed
an agreement with KreLo GmbH Medical Diagnostics for the rights to
develop an automated stimulating TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) assay
used in the differential diagnosis of Graves' disease. This
agreement will make Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics the first
in vitro diagnostics distributor of an automated TRAb assay
featuring stimulating TRAb KreLo antibodies which are specific to
the diagnosis of Graves' disease. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO ) "The new
TRAb assay has enormous potential to help diagnose, monitor and
predict the course of Graves' disease," said Joe Bernardo, senior
vice president, Central Lab Testing, Siemens Medical Solutions
Diagnostics. "Siemens continues to focus on new biomarker
development opportunities, continually expanding our already
comprehensive immunoassay menu and providing the diagnostic tools
necessary to diagnose and treat millions of thyroid disease
patients." Graves' disease affects approximately 32 million people
worldwide. As one of the most common form of hyperthyroidism,
Graves' is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the presence of
stimulating TSH receptor autoantibodies found approximately 90
percent of Graves' patients. TSH receptor autoantibodies mimic the
activity of TSH, leading to an elevated production of thyroid
hormone. Left untreated, Graves' disease can lead to miscarriage,
birth defects, thyroid eye disease and can be life-threatening.
Studies have shown that the TRAb test has the highest diagnostic
power to differentiate Graves' disease from toxic nodular goiters.
KreLo GmbH focuses on research and development of diagnostic kits
for application in human medicine. It was co-founded by Werner
Kress and Prof. Ulrich Loos, formerly professor at the Department
of Medicine at Ulm University (Ulm, Germany). Prof. Loos is the CEO
of KreLo GmbH. About Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics Siemens
Medical Solutions Diagnostics is the leading clinical diagnostics
provider in the world. The company offers health care professionals
the broadest range of diagnostic products and services that are
used for diagnosing medical conditions, monitoring patient therapy
and providing quality health care. Siemens' comprehensive portfolio
of solutions and highly responsive service are designed to improve
clinical outcomes, streamline workflow and enhance the operational
efficiency of clinical laboratories around the world. Visit
http://www.siemens.com/diagnostics. About Siemens Medical Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the world's largest suppliers
to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical
solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in
diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge
engineering, including information technology and system
integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens
Medical Solutions will be the first fully integrated diagnostics
company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy,
and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by
consulting and support services. The company delivers solutions
across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early
detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Siemens Medical
Solutions employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in
130 countries. According to IFRS, in the fiscal year 2007 (Sept.
30), Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of euro 9.85 billion,
orders of euro 10.27 billion, and group profit of euro 1.32 billion
(preliminary figures, unaudited). Further information can be found
by visiting http://www.siemens.com/medical.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Siemens Medical Solutions
Diagnostics CONTACT: Amanda Naiman of Siemens Medical Solutions
Diagnostics, +1-610-448-4531, Web site:
http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical
http://www.siemens.com/diagnostics
Copyright