First Responders Select GeneXpert System for Biothreat Detection
Thursday February 16, 7:00 am ET
Detroit & Honolulu Emergency First Response Teams Use GeneXpert System to Provide Accuracy & Specificity of Molecular Diagnostics for Biothreat Detection
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cepheid (Nasdaq: CPHD - News), a broad-based molecular diagnostics company, today announced that the State Regional Hazmat Response Team (Oakland County, MI) and the City and County of Honolulu, Hawaii's Bio-Weapon Illness Prevention Program and EMS Medical Strike Team selected the GeneXpert® System to provide mobile Anthrax detection.
ADVERTISEMENT
"As more than 100,000 visitors traveled to the Detroit metro area this month, the State Regional Hazmat Response Team needed a solution to investigate potential biothreat attacks delivering accurate results in minutes, not hours," said Gary Sharp of the Independence Fire Department. "The GeneXpert® System proved to be the ideal solution. Non-scientific personnel can operate the test and easily read the result, obtaining fast, accurate information to make informed decisions on scene."
The GeneXpert System combines sample preparation with real time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification and detection for fully-automated DNA analysis. The system purifies, concentrates, detects and identifies targeted nucleic acid sequences, delivering answers from unprocessed samples in minutes. Current techniques for performing the same complex sample prep and PCR procedures involve skilled technicians in microbiology labs performing manual tasks that can take more than a day to complete.
"Whether it's protecting a major sporting event at Aloha Stadium or patrolling popular tourist sites, the Honolulu EMS Medical Strike Team is on call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week to protect citizens and visitors from potential biothreat attacks," said Cortney M. Chambers, Homeland Security Coordinator for Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. "GeneXpert is an important addition to our mobile laboratory -- it's an effective way to bring a sophisticated molecular diagnostics lab to the investigation scene."
In addition to its use with emergency first responder units, GeneXpert Anthrax tests are currently in use at the United States Postal Service where over 2.1 million tests have already been run. In addition to the GeneXpert Anthrax test, an expanded menu of tests for other biothreat agents is under development.
"The GeneXpert System has demonstrated itself to be a capable tool in the nation's fight against biological terrorism, but it is more than a biothreat detection system," said Cepheid CEO John Bishop. "The GeneXpert System is expected to deliver in the near future immediately actionable results to medical professionals as well. Last October, Cepheid launched the GeneXpert BCR-ABL RUO product. For research use only, the product identifies the BCR- ABL chromosomal translocation associated with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in the clinical research laboratory. This product is expected to be complemented later this year by the introduction of several clinical diagnostic tests for medical conditions where a timely diagnosis is critical to patient care."
