SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 27, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Cepheid
(Nasdaq:
CPHD) today announced the release of Xpert® Flu as a
European CE IVD Mark product under the European Directive on In
Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices. The test, which runs on
Cepheid’s GeneXpert® System, simultaneously detects and
differentiates Flu A, Flu B, and 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in about
one hour.
“While seasonal influenza strains appear to be of usual concern
this season, the European resurgence of 2009 H1N1 highlights the
critical need for accurate, rapid, and easy-to-use diagnostic
solutions for all of the major influenza strains in circulation,”
said John Bishop, Cepheid’s Chief Executive Officer. “Although
molecular testing is now recognized as the new gold standard for
detection of influenza, testing is generally limited to highly
complex laboratories and results may not typically be available
around the clock. Xpert Flu provides an easy-to-use, on-demand
molecular influenza test that can assist clinicians in making
real-time medical decisions 24 hours a day.”
2009 H1N1 is a novel influenza virus first detected in the
United States in April 2009. While no longer at pandemic levels(1),
a December 2010 report from the European Centre for Disease
Prevention and Control indicates that the start of the 2010-11
European influenza season is being dominated by 2009 H1N1 virus.
The report goes on to recommend: “Countries should be prepared for
increased demand for healthcare assistance and promote early sample
collection and testing for patients with
influenza-like-illness.”(2)
Xpert Flu is available now as a CE IVD Mark product under the
European Directive on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices.
Visit www.cepheidinternational.com
for Cepheid’s complete CE IVD menu of Xpert tests. Xpert Flu is
expected to become avai
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