Siemens Healthineers Gains European Acceptance for Blood Test

A blood test that Siemens Healthineers developed to help individuals who have relapsing multiple sclerosis forecast their likelihood of recurrence has won European clearance.

Neurofilament light chain proteins, which are let into the circulation when neurons in the brain undergo an attack, are measured in serum and plasma by the business’s CE-marked in vitro diagnostic. It attempts to forecast whether adult individuals might have a greater or lesser likelihood of MS disease activity during the next two years when paired with MRI brain images along with other clinical lab testing.

Head of diagnostics R&D, Dennis Gilbert, explained: “Neurofilament light chain, or NfL, has emerged as a leading biomarker of nerve cell damage.”

He continued: “Having access to a test that measures this protein capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to support earlier prognostication of disease activity would be a critical scientific advancement for MS patients.”