Nicox, a licensing partner of Rapid Pathogen Screening, has introduced a rapid point-of-care diagnostic test for acute conjunctivitis in the US.
Using a four-step process, the FDA-cleared and CLIA-waived AdenoPlus assay detects adenovirus, the cause of 90% of viral conjunctivitis cases. The test provides definite results within ten minutes.
The test, which has 90% sensitivity and 96% specificity, also enables clinicians to make better therapeutic decisions based on diagnostic evidence and allows patients to leave the clinician’s office better informed and better prepared, according to the company.
Nicox executive vice president and general manager Jerry St Peter said; “AdenoPlus is accurate, fast, cost-effective, and performed at the point of care, making it a valuable test in seeking an immediate and accurate diagnosis.”
Nicox chairman and CEO Michele Garufi said with the launch of AdenoPlus, the company has taken its first step towards starting a commercial business in the ophthalmic sector.
“We have established a specialised sales team on the ground who will be marketing and selling this innovative and easy-to-use product to eyecare practitioners across the US, bringing a new, fast and accurate diagnostic option that will aid in the differential diagnosis of acute conjunctivitis,” Garufi said.
“The entire management team is working tirelessly to secure additional ophthalmic assets to build a comprehensive portfolio of diagnostics, therapeutics and medical devices.
“With Bausch + Lomb’s positive results observed in Phase IIb with our glaucoma candidate earlier this year, solid internal R&D expertise and a growing network in the eyecare field, I believe we are in a strong position to grow rapidly as a specialist ophthalmic business.”
