The Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics VERSANT® HCV RNA 1.0 Assay is now CE-marked for use on the company’s VERSANT kPCR Molecular System, giving laboratories in Europe and Australia access to a new test to aid in the management of individuals infected with hepatitis C (HCV) who are undergoing antiviral therapy.1,2 This new, highly sensitive automated viral load assay is an important addition to the company’s portfolio of diagnostic solutions for managing patients with liver disease, which includes routine chemistry tests, hepatitis serology tests, viral load testing and ultrasound systems.
HCV infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease worldwide.3 Fortunately, with detection and appropriate therapy, the majority of HCV-infected individuals can be cured. The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) recommends response guided therapy for HCV, which includes the monitoring of treatment efficacy using a real-time PCR-based assay, with a lower limit of detection of 10-20 IU/ml. The VERSANT HCV RNA 1.0 Assay, which has a limit of detection of 15 IU/ml, provides outstanding precision across the dynamic range and 100 percent specificity. Additionally, the assay features technology that is compatible with all HCV genotypes, providing clinicians the information that they need to manage patient therapy.
For more information about the VERSANT HCV RNA 1.0 Assay, please visit: www.siemens.com/molecular.
Launched in November 2011, Agenda 2013 is a two-year global initiative to further strengthen the innovative power and competitiveness of the Siemens Healthcare Sector. Specific measures will be implemented in four fields of action: Innovation, Competitiveness, Regional Footprint, and People Development.
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 51,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2011 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 12.5 billion euros and profit of around 1.3 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.
