Thermo Scientific launches new assays to aid management of epilepsy

Thermo Scientific has made two Quantitative Microsphere System (QMS) anti-epileptic drug immunoassays available for sale.

Thermo Scientific QMS Lamotrigine and Thermo Scientific QMS Topiramate are the latest addition to the QMS product line of immunoassays designed for the monitoring levels of therapeutic drugs in human serum and plasma.

Mark Roberts Ph.D, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s general manager, pointed out that the assays provide an important tool for physicians to improve patient care.

"Anti-epileptic drug monitoring is important for two reasons," he commented.

"First, the drugs have significant dose-dependant adverse effects and second, the disorder is progressive so the incidence of a seizure increases the risk that further seizures will occur," Dr Roberts explained.

Thermo Scientific’s QMS Lamotrigine immunoassay is the first to be cleared for the quantitative determination of lamotrigine concentrations in human serum or plasma.

Both assays are intended for use on automated clinical chemistry analysers such as those found in hospitals and reference laboratories, and are designed to aid physicians in optimising therapy for patients receiving lamotrigine or topiramate.

The company plans to add to its portfolio of unique assays in the coming months to address a "significant unmet market need".