New HIV Assay Launched by Monogram
The Trofile co-receptor tropism assay was launched by Monogram Biosciences, Incorporated. The product is a molecular diagnostic tool.
Trofile evaluates whether or not HIV patients have viral tropism and, more specifically, the type of tropism. Type of tropism is determined by the co-receptor (either CCR5, CXCR4, or dual-mixed) utilized by the virus to enter a CD4+ cell.
This identification is important because it helps guide the type of therapy that is most appropriate for a given patient. Pfizer just recently received FDA approval for a new antiretroviral HIV treatment, Selzentry. This therapy is specifically for patients who have the CCR5-tropic HIV-1 strain.
The assay was assessed in over 23,000 specimens. In fact, the test was used in cooperation with Pfizer during that company’s clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of Selzentry. The approved labeling for the drug requires that patients have testing which verifies this strain of disease.
In May, Abbott received FDA approval for a new test, RealTime HIV-1, that evaluates the viral load of patients with HIV. That was previously published on Hospital Buyer.
August 7, 2007 Related topics: Laboratory, Laboratory Equipment, Diagnostic