Abbott reports promising early data for innovative testing platform

Abbott has announced initial results that demonstrate the promise of its innovative testing platform Iridica.

The developmental platform has been shown in preliminary trials to produce results consistent with culture-based methods, the present standard of care. It delivers its results in hours, compared to the several day-long processes that are currently used.

Data from the Radical study, which involved analysis of samples from more than 180 critically ill patients, was presented to physicians on an adjudication panel, who reported they would have prescribed a different course of treatment in more than 50 percent of the cases evaluated.

The new system could therefore help to ensure critically ill patients with infections are treated more quickly and effectively, while potentially changing the way infections are diagnosed around the world.

Dr David Ecker, divisional vice-president for research and development and general manager at Abbott's Ibis Biosciences business, said: "The Radical results suggest Iridica will provide rapid results with the sensitivity of culture, but much earlier, allowing physicians to act quickly and effectively to make life-saving decisions."

Earlier this month, the company announced that its vascular devices manufacturing facility in Clonmel, Ireland was presented with a prestigious international award for operational excellence by the Shingo Institute, highlighting its commitment to best practice.