Press Release

Abbott's Enhanced ARCHITECTPLUS Systems Helps Labs Manage Surging Testing Demand Due to Aging Population

July 27, 2010

Anaheim, California — As hospital and clinical laboratories endure increasingly intense pressures to do more with less, they now face another challenge — rising demand for medical tests driven by an aging U.S. population that is expected to swell to more than 70 million in the next 20 years, an increase of more than 80 percent from today. To help laboratories manage these burgeoning testing volumes, Abbott's (NYSE: ABT) ARCHITECTPLUS, the enhanced ARCHITECT family of immunochemistry analyzers, being showcased for the first time this week at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry Lab Expo, offers enhanced automation, workstation consolidation, high efficiency and labor savings for laboratories of all sizes.

The new features of ARCHITECTPLUS include more comprehensive and user-friendly software; a smaller size to help reduce space requirements; improvements to streamline operations and reduce interruptions; new video instructions to help with routine maintenance; and an attractive exterior design and styling. Abbott customers with existing ARCHITECT systems will be able to conveniently upgrade to ARCHITECTPLUS onsite (refer to the operations manual for operational precautions, limitations and hazards).

Abbott's ARCHITECTPLUS performs both clinical chemistry panels and immunoassay tests. With its extensive menu of more than 170 assays, the ARCHITECT enables laboratories facing increasing cost pressures to reduce labor, optimize throughput and enhance overall productivity, while standardizing data management processes and optimizing inventory control. It also provides features that minimize training and reduce inventory costs and sample contamination potential, which results in improved performance and outcomes for laboratories, physicians and patients.

"According to the Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, one in five Americans will be age 65 and older in 20 years. It's well documented that older people are the largest consumers of health care services, and the huge growth in this age group will likely generate significant new demand for routine lab tests and follow-up testing for diabetes, cancer and other conditions," said Brian Blaser, senior vice president, Diagnostics, Abbott. "Already stressed with finding ways to deal with diminishing resources and a serious shortage of trained staff, laboratories are turning to diagnostics manufacturers for technologies and capabilities they need to operate effectively and survive in this environment."

Abbott's ARCHITECT customers are seeing the value of their systems increase as Abbott expands the test menu with new biomarkers. Two new assays were just added within the last month alone: HE4 for early detection of ovarian cancer and HIV Antigen/Antibody Combo Assay to identify early HIV infections. Additionally, Abbott has more than a dozen novel biomarkers in development, and several are expected to be introduced in the next 12 months.

About Abbott's ARCHITECT HE4 Assay

Abbott's ARCHITECT HE4 assay is a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay for the quantitative determination of HE4 antigen in human serum. The assay is designed to be used as an aid in monitoring recurrence or progressive disease in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, and should be used in conjunction with other clinical data. The ARCHITECT HE4 assay should not be used as a cancer screening test. In addition, certain types of cancer (e.g., mucinous or germ cell tumors) rarely express HE4, and the use of the ARCHITECT HE4 assay is not recommended for monitoring patients with those types of cancer.

About ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo Assay

The ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) for the simultaneous qualitative detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) p24 antigen and antibodies to HIV type 1 (HIV-1 group M and group O) and/or type 2 (HIV-2) in human serum and plasma (EDTA and heparin). The ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay is intended to be used as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection, including acute or primary HIV-1 infection.

The assay may also be used as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection in pediatric subjects (i.e., children as young as two years of age) and in pregnant women. An ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo reactive result does not distinguish between the detection of HIV p24 antigen, HIV-1 antibody, or HIV-2 antibody. The ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo is not intended for use in screening blood or plasma donors. The effectiveness of ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo for use in screening blood or plasma donors has not been established. However, this assay can be used as a blood donor screening assay in urgent situations where traditional licensed blood donor screening tests are unavailable or their use is impractical.

WARNING: Assay results should be interpreted in conjunction with the patient's clinical presentation, history, and other laboratory results. If the results are inconsistent with clinical evidence, additional testing is suggested to confirm the result. The performance of this assay has not been established for individuals younger than two years of age.

For In Vitro Diagnostic Use

About Abbott Diagnostics

Abbott is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics and offers a broad range of innovative instrument systems and tests for hospitals, reference labs, molecular labs, blood banks, physician offices and clinics. With more than 69,000 customers in more than 100 countries, Abbott's diagnostic products offer customers automation, convenience, bedside testing, cost effectiveness and flexibility. Abbott has helped transform the practice of medical diagnosis from an art to a science through the company's commitment to improving patient care and lowering costs.

About Abbott

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs approximately 83,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

 

Media: Darcy Ross Ann Fahey-Widman

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