Introduction of the ADVIA Centaur® Cyclosporine (CsA) assay

New product moves Cyclosporine assays into routine use, accelerating workflow and delivering rapid results

Tarrytown, N.Y., July 19, 2007 – Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics today announced the introduction of the ADVIA Centaur® Cyclosporine (CsA) assay, an easy to use automated test offering laboratories a highly specific immunoassay for the Cyclosporine A parent compound.

“The ADVIA Centaur Cyclosporine assay shows excellent correlation with the gold standard tandem mass spectrometric method,” said Steven J. Soldin, Ph.D. director, Bioanalytical Core Laboratory, Georgetown University and the Clinical Chemistry Laboratories at Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. “This method has very good reproducibility and a wide linear range that can accommodate both C0 and C2 testing protocols. In addition, this new cyclosporine assay has little metabolite cross-reactivity. The limited hands-on requirement of this assay will allow it to be easily integrated into the clinical laboratory’s routine testing workflow, enabling it to be run at any time of the day or night. An assay that is both simple to perform and gives reliable results is what laboratories are looking for in a cyclosporine assay.”

The ADVIA Centaur Cyclosporine assay allows laboratory professionals to mainstream testing into routine workflow with a simplified extraction process and fully automated processing yielding an impressive 18-minute turnaround time. The ADVIA Centaur assay’s expansive linear range reduces the need for dilutions, reducing the time required for testing and the associated cost.

"The cyclosporine assay marks Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics' entry into immunosuppressant drug monitoring, a critical area of healthcare", said Joe Bernardo, senior vice president, Central Lab Testing, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "The release of the cyclosporine assay is an example of how Siemens, a global leader in IVD testing, is utilizing its expertise and resources to expand an already comprehensive, disease focused menu."

The ADVIA Centaur system provides lab professionals with reliable results and physicians with the confidence and information needed to optimize patient management. Engineered to provide “always ready” automation with STAT availability for rapid turnaround, the ADVIA Centaur does not require operator intervention for repeat requirements. Laboratory professionals can now eliminate the historical practice of batching Cyclosporine sample requests by integrating the Cyclosporine assay onto a random access immunoassay analyzer that has the capability to perform over 65 additional assays. This reduces the need for multiple analyzers in the lab and saves operational and maintenance time for busy lab professionals.

The system also features one-tube processing, thereby reducing the need for labor intensive pipetting, and delivers hundreds of test results per hour making it one of the most effective and productive testing technologies on the market. Fully prepared reagents are available to laboratory professionals in a ReadyPack® format to further enhance lab productivity. This assay has not been cleared by the FDA.

About Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics offers a broad portfolio of performance-driven diagnostic solutions that assist in the diagnosis, monitoring and management of disease. Products and services bring together the right balance of science, technology, and practicality across the healthcare continuum to empower medical professionals with the vital information they need to deliver better, more personalized healthcare to patients around the globe.
www.siemens.com/diagnostics

About Siemens Medical Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Recent acquisitions in the area of in-vitro diagnostics – such as Diagnostic Products Corporation and Bayer Diagnostics – mark a significant milestone for Siemens as it becomes the first full service diagnostics company. Employing more than 41,000 people worldwide and operating in over 130 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 8.23 billion EUR, orders of 9.33 billion EUR and group profit of 1.06 billion EUR for fiscal 2006 (Sept. 30).
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