LONDON--(Marketwire - March 08, 2011) - The 2010 Frost & Sullivan European Product Differentiation Excellence Award in Point of Care Testing is presented to Augurix. The company is honored for developing the Simtomax test -- the only known point of care test for Celiac disease -- that can be performed by even untrained personnel to arrive at an instant diagnosis.
A huge market need
Celiac disease has come to be known as a silent epidemic. It is a vastly undiagnosed disease, mainly due to the complexity of existing testing procedures. Left untreated, 35 per cent will develop osteoporosis, 30 per cent will develop other autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes type I and 20 per cent will suffer from recurrent anemia, even as it significantly increases the risks of abortion and intestinal lymphoma.
“The Simtomax test has effectively addressed the urgent market need for a rapid and simple test for Celiac disease,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Rasika Ramachandran. “With its unique features and functionality, the Simtomax test offers quick and uncomplicated diagnosis.”
A state-of-the-art technology
So far, physicians have to draw about 10 milliliters of blood through a venous puncture and send the sample to specialised laboratories. Three different and separate analyses need to be performed to accurately diagnose Celiac disease. In some cases, physicians rely on an intestinal biopsy, a highly invasive procedure, to confirm laboratory results.
“In contrast, Augurix’s innovative methodology performs all three analyses rapidly in a simple, one-step test,” remarks Ramachandran. “It is significantly non-invasive, requiring only 25 microliters of a simple finger pinprick blood sample, identical to a glucose measurement or saliva sample.”
The Simtomax test does not require confirmatory analyses. It works with whole blood, serum or plasma and sample collection is by finger pinprick. It provides clear and unambiguous results within 10 minutes, requires no training or equipment and can be stored at room temperature.
“Simtomax uses lateral flow technology to detect IgA and IgG (antibodies associated with gluten intolerance) against specific gliadin peptides,” adds Ramachandran. “It also detects total IgA to identify all IgA deficient patients, which is currently a unique feature in the market place.”
Simtomax already available in Switzerland and the EU
The Simtomax test has received the CE mark, allowing for product commercialization in the European Union. Augurix is currently launching its new product across the EU through dedicated distributors. It is already available in Switzerland, Italy and France. The Simtomax test is very well received, and offers a clear economic advantage over the traditional laboratory techniques.
The Product Differentiation Excellence Award is awarded to the company that has excelled in the following criteria: unique features/functionality, quality/complexity, matched to target markets needs and brand perception of the uniqueness of the product.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.
About Augurix
Augurix is a Swiss company that was incorporated in January 2007 in Geneva.. Augurix develops, manufactures and markets disposable, pocket-size medical devices for rapid screening, diagnostic and monitoring of chronic conditions, with a strong focus on Celiac Disease. Augurix` patented technology enables seamless and rapid screening at the point of care, from whole blood, serum, plasma or saliva.
About Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company’s Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO’s Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.awards.frost.com.
