WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2009--
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO), the world leader in serving
science, today announced the availability in Europe of its new Copeptin
assay, which helps medical personnel quickly and accurately diagnose
acute myocardial infarction (AMI), commonly known as a heart attack.
Copeptin, developed by recently acquired B.R.A.H.M.S. AG, is a patented
biomarker for AMI and is detectible using a simple blood test that, in
combination with a Troponin biomarker test, permits doctors to rule out
or confirm the onset of a heart attack within minutes. Currently,
physicians rely on an electrocardiogram in combination with Troponin
which, in most patients with chest pain, cannot indicate AMI until at
least 4 hours after the onset of symptoms and requires additional
testing after 6 to 9 hours.
“We acquired B.R.A.H.M.S. to strengthen our specialty diagnostics
offering, and today’s news demonstrates how quickly that investment is
adding value to our technology portfolio,” said Dr. Yuh-Geng Tsay, head
of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Specialty Diagnostics business. “Our
company continues to push innovation in biomarker discovery and
applications. The Copeptin assay shows that we’re having an impact by
helping physicians to be more effective at diagnosing disease, which
ultimately improves patient health and also lowers the cost of care.”
AMI is the leading cause of death worldwide. Approximately 15 million
patients visit an emergency room each year with symptoms, however, only
about 10 percent are eventually diagnosed with AMI. The Copeptin assay
allows physicians to provide immediate answers. It accelerates
treatment, prevents heart damage caused by prolonged wait time and
streamlines the treatment of non-AMI patients. Copeptin can save
valuable time, healthcare resources and, most importantly, human lives.
The test is now commercially available throughout Europe. In the U.S.,
Thermo Fisher is in the process of generating the data to support a
510(k) pre-market application for the test, and plans to submit the data
to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at the end of 2010.
Thermo Fisher Scientific completed the acquisition of B.R.A.H.M.S. on
October 1, 2009.
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving
science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and
safer. With 2008 revenues of $10.5 billion, we have approximately 34,000
employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and
biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities,
research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental
and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two
premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve
analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and
discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of
high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment,
software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated
laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete
portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used
in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we
offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and
continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of
scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for
shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com.
Source: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Media Contact Information:
Karen
Kirkwood, 781-622-1306
karen.kirkwood@thermofisher.com
www.thermofisher.com
or
Investor
Contact Information:
Ken Apicerno, 781-622-1294
ken.apicerno@thermofisher.com
