In a scientific poster presented at AACC today by researchers at the University of Toronto, eleven heart transplant patients were treated with anti-rejection drug combinations and monitored with the Urine NGAL assay within twelve hours of administration. The study concluded that Urine NGAL monitoring may be able to assist in the detection of chronic cyclosporine-induced toxicity in the kidneys following heart transplant procedures.
Abbott is currently developing an assay to measure NGAL (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) concentrations in urine for use on the company's flagship automated laboratory instrument, the ARCHITECT system. Abbott has rights to commercialize Urine NGAL for renal diagnostic applications and is expected to introduce the product in Europe in late 2009. The assay is not available in the United States. NGAL is a small, robust protein produced by the kidney tubules and appears in urine just two-to-four hours following acute kidney injury (AKI), up to 46 hours sooner than current test methods.
"Nephrologists and cardiologists are excited about the potential of Urine NGAL to detect the potential for kidney failure following cardio-thoracic surgeries," said Sudarshan Hebbar, M.D., medical director, Abbott Diagnostics.
About Abbott's Diagnostics Businesses
Abbott is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics and offers a broad range of innovative instrument systems and tests for hospitals, reference labs, molecular labs, blood banks, physician offices and clinics. With more than 69,000 institutional customers in more than 100 countries, Abbott's diagnostic products offer customers automation, convenience, bedside testing, cost effectiveness and flexibility. Abbott has helped transform the practice of medical diagnosis from an art to a science through the company's commitment to improving patient care and lowering costs. The history of Abbott is filled with examples of first-of-a-kind diagnostic products and significant technological and research advancements.
About Abbott
Abbott (NYSE: ABT - News) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.com.
ARCHITECT is a trademark of Abbott Laboratories.
