New Product Trends at ASMS 2019

The 67th American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, held recently in Atlanta, Georgia, is a major showcase for mass spectrometry system (MS) introductions. Below are some of the trends evident among the many system launches. Small is Big Agilent Technologies introduced the LC/MSD iQ single quadrupole MS, measuring 12 x 18.7 in (305 […]

Will New HIV Recommendations Boost Test Volume?

From our partner publication LabPulse.com: New recommendations released June 11 from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) continue to strongly advise HIV screening for adolescents and adults, and for the first time they support preventive treatment for those at high risk. The guidance could boost volume for blood tests. Kalorama Information’s Infectious Disease World […]

Liquid Biopsy in 2019: Competitive and Growing

Liquid biopsies are a set of minimally invasive diagnostic methods that analyze tumor-derived materials that can be found circulating in biological fluids, to provide information for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of cancer. While tissue biopsies and imaging techniques remain the current standards of care in the diagnosis of solid tumors, they have risks and […]

Cancer Therapeutics: The Targeting Advantage

The development of molecularly targeted cancer drugs is one of the most exciting advancements in oncology. The potential benefits from the identification of drug targets and the associated drugs and tests are illustrated by several novel examples, such as HER2/neu & Herceptin and Gleevec. The rising incidence of cancer, particularly in the over 50 population, […]

Modest Results, and Some Good News, for Major IVD Companies

Results below expectations, perhaps explained by one-time events, were coupled with new product launches and some silver lining in niche markets, as the top two IVD companies announced first-quarter results.  Roche’s Diagnostics division reported sales of $2.9 BN CHF (approx. $2.86 BN USD) and 1% growth, with Molecular Diagnostics as main contributor.  That was flat […]

Mass Spectrometry-based Mycology Tests Put to Use in C. auris Outbreak

A relatively new disease with particular strength in the New York City area but also in 12 U.S. states has seen 617 cases as of time of writing – with particular strength in weakened patients and those in long-term facilities.  Because the fungus is detectable only with complex lab tests such as mass spectrometry, sequencing […]

Instrument Launches, Small-Molecule Techniques and Kool-Aid as PITTCON Philadelphia Begins

Pittcon 2019 now in its 70th year, meets in Philadelphia this week.  The meeting is an opportunity to showcase improvements in laboratory technology.  While mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography are key areas for vendors, this year’s meeting will feature a large demonstration space where vendors will show off spectrometry, software and even analyze common everyday […]

VA – Foundation Medicine Deal a Boon for Use of Liquid Biopsy/NGS in Cancer Diagnostics

News came this week that the Department of Veterans Affairs awarded Foundation Medicine, a Cambridge, MA- based molecular testing company, a significant contract to provide genomic profiling for veterans helps to validate the growing use of NGS and liquid biopsy for diagnostics. The contract was reported to be at 111.5 million over five years. It […]

Next Generation Sequencing Continues to Make Strides: Neonatal Screening, Onco-genomics, Infectious Disease Dx, and More

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) in diagnostics is rapidly growing, having made great strides since the conclusion of the Human Genome Project fifteen years ago. Increasingly rapid and effective testing capabilities for hereditary diseases, cancers, cardiac and respiratory conditions, neurodegenerative disorders, and even infectious disease, are either on the horizon or have arrived. The promise of DNA […]

Four Things to Know About The Monoclonal Antibodies – “mAbs” Market

Kalorama Information notes 4 trends in monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) – large protein molecules produced by white blood cells that seek out and destroy harmful foreign substances – topped $100 billion in 2017, according to Kalorama Information What’s Trending in Monoclonal Antibodies, examines the several types of monoclonal antibodies on the market and in development, looking at […]