PLEX-ID assay from Abbott has CE Mark for detection of Infectious Diseases

CE Marking (Conformite Europeene) in the European Union has been granted to Abbott Labs to market its rapid, high-throughput PLEX-ID(TM) instrument, along with three assays for use on the system: PLEX-ID Viral IC Spectrum, PLEX-ID BAC Spectrum BC and PLEX-ID Flu. PLEX-ID, which is based on molecular diagnostic technologies, addresses a significant unmet need for rapid detection and identification of a broad range of microbes that cause infections in patients. It provides results in less than eight hours instead of the days or even weeks required for traditional culture methods. The unique advantage of the system is the ability to characterize a very wide range of microorganisms directly from clinical specimens, thus minimizing both the amount of time and laboratory work required to provide physicians important information they can use to best tailor treatment for the patient.