NEW YORK (360Dx) – Ortho Clinical Diagnostics said this week that it has entered into a strategic relationship with Thermo Fisher Scientific's BRAHMS to develop a procalcitonin assay for use on Ortho's Vitros systems.
Ortho said that it is currently developing the assay for use on Vitros immunodiagnostics and integrated systems for small-, mid-, and high-volume clinical labs.
The BRAHMS PCT assay is used in conjunction with other laboratory findings and clinical assessment to aid in several aspects of sepsis management. It identifies patients at high risk of progressing to septic shock, and can help determine when it is safe to discontinue antibiotic use, Ortho said.
The firm noted that the assay also plays a critical role in antibiotic stewardship, aiding physicians in decision-making for lower respiratory tract infections.
Christophe Fraudeau, vice president and general manager of BRAHMS said that the strategic agreement with Ortho positions it to deliver the PCT assay to a broader audience, extending its ability to "help lab customers identify sepsis early enough for effective treatment to take place.”
Further terms of the deal were not disclosed.