Redesigned for PCR efficiency and biplex compatibility
Bothell, WA, November 7, 2023 — ELITechGroup MDx LLC (EGMDx) announced availability of their redesigned enterovirus and parechovirus analyte specific reagents* (ASR). The ASRs are designed to be used in the development of real-time PCR assays and were reengineered for both performance and workflow functionality. The two sets of reagents are now optimized for singleplex PCR efficiency and biplex compatibility, offering greater flexibility for clinical and research laboratories.
The company projects that many children’s hospitals will appreciate their enterovirus and parechovirus real-time PCR design improvements. Viral meningitis is a concern among children’s hospitals, with diagnostic testing for enterovirus in cerebrospinal fluid specimens by PCR recognized as the gold standard. For this pediatric patient population, clinicians also frequently consider and order parechovirus testing. The company notes that with regard to enterovirus respiratory testing, their probe retains its ability to detect Enterovirus D68.
“Our newly released enterovirus and parechovirus reagents have been eagerly anticipated by several of our children’s hospital lab customers,” said Scott Johnston, General Manager. Johnston added, “R&D recently completed a redesign of our enterovirus and parechovirus ASRs. The new ASRs are optimized for improved PCR efficiency at lower copy numbers and minimal cross reactivity when biplexed. Lab workflow was also top of mind during product development. We wanted to offer a workflow solution for enterovirus and parechovirus testing, with automated extraction, amplification, and results. This automation is possible using our ELITe BeGenius® system. Alternately for lab flexibility, our reagents are compatible with many open channel systems and can help optimize the use of existing molecular lab equipment.”
The EGMDx product portfolio includes the following analytes of interest when testing patients suspected of viral meningitis:
- DSQ Alert
Enterovirus v2.0 primer and probe ASRs - DSQ Alert Parechovirus v2.0 primer and probe ASRs
- HSV 1&2 ELITe MGB® IVD Assay
- MGB Alert® VZV primer and probe ASRs
- MGB Alert HHV-6 primer and probe ASRs
*Analyte Specific Reagent. Analytical and performance characteristics are not established.
About ELITechGroup MDx LLC
ELITechGroup MDx LLC serves the needs of clinical and research laboratories alike, offering an extensive range of molecular diagnostics products, including the fully automated sample-to-result ELITe BeGenius and ELITe InGenius instruments and a growing menu of infectious disease tests and reagents featuring innovative chemistries to optimize sensitivity and specificity. MGB Alert products utilize the original minor groove binder probe technology and offer the flexibility of PCR-based detection or melt curve analysis. DSQ Alert products feature the duplex stabilizing quencher, the latest evolution of hydrolysis probe-based real-time PCR. Other proprietary chemistries designed for optimum product performance include the original azo dye Eclipse® Dark Quencher, AquaPhluor® fluorescent dyes, and nucleobases Super A®, T, G, and I.
Contact
Scott Johnston, General Manager
Phone 925-495-9492
Email s.johnston@elitechgroup.com
A suite of Candida reagents is now commercially available for use in clinical and research laboratories
Bothell, WA, February 8, 2023 — ELITechGroup MDx LLC (EGMDx) announced the release of their Candida family of products, including reagents for C. auris detection, with fluconazole resistance, and a multiplex of Candida pathogens. This new suite of real-time PCR products includes analyte specific reagents (ASR) and research use only (RUO) materials used by clinical and research laboratories.
The newest additions to the EGMDx product portfolio include:
- DSQ Alert Candida auris primer and probe ASRs*, for specific detection of C. auris
- MGB Alert® Candida auris with fluconazole resistance RUO** Detection Reagent
- MGB Alert® Candida species with C. auris RUO** Detection Reagent, for detection and discrimination of seven Candida species in a multiplex format
EGMDx accelerated the launch of their Candida product family in response to a recent publication from the World Health Organization, the 2022 WHO Fungal Priority Pathogens List to Guide Research, Development And Public Health Action. The publication urges detection and surveillance for Candida pathogens and antifungal resistance.
C. auris, C. albicans, C. glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabrata), C. krusei (Pichia kudriavzevii), C. tropicalis, and C. parapsilosis are identified as priority pathogens by the WHO and are each detectable with these new reagents. Additionally, Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucorales, and Pneumocystis jirovecii are also listed as priority fungal pathogens and offered in the EGMDx portfolio. Notably, Cryptococcus neoformans is in development by the company’s research and development team. Once released, reagents for C. neoformans will round out the company’s offerings to detect the four WHO Critical Priority Group pathogens: C. neoformans, C. auris, A. fumigatus, and C. albicans.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a marked increase in infections of antifungal-resistant C. auris and an overall increase in antifungal-resistant Candida, considered urgent and serious public health concerns, respectively. Up to 95% of all invasive Candida infections in the United States are caused by five species of Candida: C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei. These five species and two additional targets, C. auris and C. dubliniensis are detectable using the new Candida species multiplex from EGMDx.
A dedicated molecular diagnostics manufacturer specializing in infectious diseases, EGMDx is an innovative company that realizes the need for flexibility and versatility to optimize lab infrastructure and capacity. The release of their Candida family of products has been anticipated by many hospital laboratories, including lab partners involved in developing the products. “Our new Candida reagents are compatible with most open channel systems and can help optimize underutilized molecular lab equipment, while answering the call for innovative antifungal diagnostics,” said Scott Johnston, General Manager. Johnston added, “We’re proud to have an agile team that can quickly respond to clinical and public health needs.”
The company’s MGB Alert hybridization probe products feature minor groove binder (MGB) probe technology which was originally invented by ELITechGroup and is now widely used throughout the clinical lab industry. Likewise, the company’s new duplex stabilizing quencher (DSQ) chemistry is now offered in their new DSQ Alert hydrolysis probe reagents. DSQ probes feature enhanced signal-to-noise fluorescence and DNA duplex stability, offered as the next evolutionary step in MGB probe chemistry. EGMDx reagents are compatible with the company’s proprietary ELITe BeGenius® automated sample to result platform, and on most open channel instrument systems.
Please visit us here to learn more.
*Analyte Specific Reagent. Analytical and performance characteristics are not established.
**For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
About ELITechGroup MDx LLC
ELITechGroup MDx LLC serves the needs of clinical and research laboratories alike, offering an extensive range of molecular diagnostics products, including the fully automated sample-to-result ELITe BeGenius and ELITe InGenius® instruments and a growing menu of infectious disease tests and reagents featuring innovative chemistries to optimize sensitivity and specificity. MGB Alert products utilize the original minor groove binder probe technology and offer the flexibility of PCR-based detection or melt curve analysis. DSQ Alert products feature the duplex stabilizing quencher, the latest evolution of hydrolysis probe-based real-time PCR. Other proprietary chemistries designed for optimum product performance include the original azo dye Eclipse® Dark Quencher, AquaPhluor® fluorescent dyes, and nucleotide Superbases.
Contact
Scott Johnston, General Manager
Phone +1 925-495-9492
Email s.johnston@elitechgroup.com
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ELITechGroup, market leader in global vapor pressure osmometer technology, announces the acquisition of GONOTEC, a leading market player in freezing point osmometer technology.
The purchase of the company unites two osmometry market leaders, providing the industry with a full range of osmometry solutions that meet specific needs enabling physicians to more rapidly and accurately diagnosis disease and determine the proper course of patient treatment.
In addition, ELITechGroup will now have a direct market presence in Germany enabling the company to serve customers with its entire portfolio of products and solutions directly.
“The strategic acquisition of GONOTEC expands the company’s global capabilities to deliver innovative products to the in vitro diagnostics, biotech, chemical, environmental, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and research market segments. With a combined 90+ years of innovation, we aim to become the number one osmometry company in the world,” said Bryce McEuen, Vice President, Biomedical Systems. “In addition, the acquisition increases our capacity and geographic presence to serve laboratories with superior levels of service and customer support.”
For more information about our osmometry solutions, visit Osmometers.com.
About ELITechGroup
ELITechGroup is a privately held group of worldwide manufacturers and distributors of in vitro diagnostic equipment and reagents for clinical chemistry, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, hematology, cytology, and sweat test systems. Our mission is to improve patient care by empowering laboratories to do more in less time, with accuracy, to enable rapid and accurate course of treatment for patients.
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