Celsis Introduces ReACT™ RNA-Based Microbial Detection Assays

Celsis International plc have launched the Celsis ReACT™, the first easy-to-use RNA-based assay for detecting objectionable organisms quickly and definitively without the need for expensive equipment or specialized training.

Manufacturers of pharmaceutical, beauty and home care products using Celsis Rapid Detection systems for their primary screening of raw materials, in-process and finished goods can now utilize this new RNA-based assay to obtain a fast, 2-hour result on samples that test positive for microbial contamination. Celsis ReACT assays use proprietary selections of ribosomal RNA sequences to confirm or to rule out the presence of Gram-negative organisms, Staph. aureus, yeast and mold, and can be customized for facility-specific or wild strain organisms.

'Serious contamination events, while somewhat rare, do happen. When they occur they can cost companies hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars,' explained Jay LeCoque, Celsis CEO. 'We developed Celsis ReACT for our customers who have asked for a way to quickly and easily determine if they have an objectionable organism, so they can minimize the financial impact to their operations and bottom line.'

The faster a company can confirm that a sample has been contaminated by an objectionable organism, the faster the contaminated batch can be stopped before it reaches the production line or, even worse, is released for sale. In addition, a faster reaction means fewer potentially contaminated additional batches will be produced, thus significantly reducing the financial impact of lost product and product disposal.

Celsis customers will be able to use Celsis ReACT following the primary Celsis AMPiScreen™ assay, which definitively detects the presence or absence of microbial organisms in 18-24 hours instead of the typical 3-5 days for microbial limits testing. The same primary system has also been proven successful in equaling the traditional 14-day sterility test in less than half the time. Following a positive result on the Celsis primary system, the new Celsis ReACT assays use Celsis' existing instrument platform to provide rapid, actionable intelligence and secondary analysis within 2 hours.

'Celsis ReACT offers our customers the speed, simplicity and reliability of Celsis Rapid Detection systems combined with the precision of advanced molecular biology,' said Lori Daane, Ph.D., a microbiologist and vice president of scientific affairs and customer service for Celsis Rapid Detection. The industry's easiest-to-use RNA system, Celsis ReACT uses simple protocols with user-friendly, color-coded steps. Basic measuring and pipetting skills are all that's required technically, and the Celsis system provides fast, clear results in two hours. With minimal training, existing customers can immediately adopt this new RNA-based testing system and begin to realize the benefits of fast, definitive results.'

For more information about Celsis ReACT, visit www.celsis.com/react or contact Celsis Rapid Detection at +1 312 476 1282.