Inverness Medical highlights study into NGAL

Inverness Medical has highlighted the results of a trial into the early use of blood biomarker neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in patients potentially suffering from acute kidney injury (AKI).

Undertaken by the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, the trial showed that tested blood samples collected during the first two hours of admission to intensive care units using the company’s Triage NGAL Test contributed to identifying the condition earlier.

It also discovered that by using a cut-off level of 150 ng/mL for blood NGAL, the sensitivity and specificity to predict AKI were 82 per cent and 97 per cent respectively.

Jean-Michel Constantin, a doctor at the university hospital, explained: "Knowing which patients are in trouble in advance may allow clinicians to choose therapies that will minimise further harm to the kidneys and may allow for the study of new therapeutic interventions."

Inverness Medical last month revealed that it would acquire Free and Clear, a firm specialising in evidence-based programmes related to the causes of chronic health conditions.