IDEXX Laboratories Launches Diagnostic Kit for Chronic Wasting Disease

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. have announced that it has received USDA approval for the sale of its IDEXX HerdChek® Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Antigen Test Kit.

"We're pleased to offer a second-generation product that sets a new standard with its combination of performance and ease of use," said Dr. Quentin Tonelli, Corporate Vice President.

The IDEXX HerdChek CWD Test Kit utilizes a novel Seprion ligand capture technology licensed from Microsens Biotechnologies that allows for a greatly simplified procedure compared to existing products on the market. Laboratory personnel simply need to homogenize the sample, dilute an aliquot and run the assay. There is no need for additional equipment, the test is performed at room temperature and results are available in less than 3.5 hours.

The new microtiter strip plate package with five plates and 460 tests is available for sale to approved laboratories on December 1.

IDEXX also have acquired the licence for Microsens Biotechnologies Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) detection technologies enabling them to develop and commericalise the next generation of diagnostics for the detection of TSE. Trials have already shown Seprion to offer extremely high selectivity for the capture of the abnormal form of the prion protein (PrPres). The Japanese company Sanko Junyaku Co. Ltd has the exclusive use of Seprion within Japan.