EKF to highlight Lucica® Glycated Albumin-L assay at AACC 2019

EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics company, announces the availability of a liquid, enzymatic test for glycated albumin (GA) that was recently FDA cleared for sales in the U.S. GA, used for intermediate term monitoring of glycemic control in diabetes patients, will be showcased at the 2019 AACC Clinical Lab Expo (August 6-8th in Anaheim, CA, Booth #2952). EKF is the exclusive distributor of the Lucica® Glycated Albumin-L test manufactured by Asahi-Kasei Pharma Corporation of Japan.

The Lucica® Glycated Albumin-L test is intended to quantitatively measure GA in human serum on compatible clinical chemistry analyzers with open-channel capability. In separate reactions, it measures glycated albumin (enzymatic) and total albumin (BCP). Results are expressed as a percentage ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin, thereby minimizing differences in protein concentrations between patients.

Visitors to EKF Diagnostics’ booth will also have the opportunity to meet Takuji Kohzuma, Ph.D., Chief Researcher of Diagnostics and Clinical Development at Asahi Kasei Pharma Corporation, the inventor of the enzymatic method for GA. Dr. Kohzuma was awarded the “Prize of Technology” by the Japanese Society of Clinical Chemistry for developing this methodology in 2005. The Lucica® GA has been one of the world’s most widely used and published enzymatic GA methods. EKF Diagnostics is now partnering with Asahi-Kasei Pharma Corporation to distribute the FDA-cleared test in the U.S.

There is peer-reviewed literature supporting the use of glycated albumin (GA) as a reliable marker of glycemic control, based on clinical outcomes for microvascular and macrovascular complications, diabetes risk, prognosis in hemodialysis patients, and prediction of pregnancy outcomes. GA is helpful for the intermediate-term monitoring of glycemic control in patients with diabetes.

Also, at Booth #2952, EKF will showcase some of its other clinical chemistry-focused products. Another key assay in EKF’s portfolio is the Beta-Hydroxybutyrate LiquiColor® Assay (B-HB). B-HB is the main ketone body produced during diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and is a valuable adjunct test for diagnosing ketoacidosis and monitoring therapy.

The LiquiColor® B-HB test features liquid, ‘ready-to-use’ reagents. It is intended to quantitatively measure B-HB with serum or plasma on compatible clinical chemistry analyzers with open-channel capability. LiquiColor® B-HB is used in more than 1,300 laboratories in the U.S.

EKF central laboratory and point-of-care (POC) analyzers will also be shown at AACC. These will include the Altair™ 240, a fully automated benchtop clinical chemistry analyzer, and the HemoPoint H2 POC analyzer, designed to rapidly provide quantitative, lab-quality hemoglobin and hematocrit results from a single drop of blood.