Molecular tests have developed in many areas, Kalorama Information has detailed the progress in these areas. In some cases the promise of molecular tests has not been lived up to becuase the greater efficiency and speed of the test is not cost-effective versus existing technology. Thus despite the many available prenatal products, ultrasound is more routine practice. Infectious disease comes with different stakes and thus our research into the business of diagnostic markets has thus far determined it is the most logical market pathway for molecular ds. The nature of infectious disease, espeicially healthcare infections (nosocomial infection), where patients should be isolated to avoid contaminating others, where treatement regimens must be accelerated and where often a limited supply of drugs exist, had created demand for high speed molecular. Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Clostridium difficile (C.diff) are among the most potent of infections.
A deal with Intelligent Medical Systems (IMDx) fortifies Abbott's molecular diagnostic offering. The IMDx C. difficile for Abbott m2000 and IMDx VanR for Abbott m2000 tests are performed on Abbott's m2000 automated molecular diagnostics system. The tests are only sold outside the United States. Non-Us sales have been Abbott's strongest area for some time. The IMDx C. difficile for Abbott m2000 assay detects toxigeneic C. difficile toxin A and B genes in specimens from patients with symptoms of C. difficile-associated disease and is intended for use as an aid in the diagnosis of C. difficile. The IMDx VanR for Abbott m2000 assay detects the presence of vanA and vanB genes that can be associated with VRE. The test is intended for use on samples from patients at risk of VRE colonization. Abbott competes in this sector with Roche, Cephid and a few others.
