bioMérieux Launches Molecular Biology Test, NucliSENS EasyQ® HIV-1 v2.0, for Improved Care of Patients with HIV

bioMérieux provides one of the broadest product offers available to laboratories outside of the U.S. market for diagnosing and monitoring HIV infection. It has constantly been at the forefront of innovation in the fight against AIDS, developing one of the first screening tests and going on to bring the first automated assay, the first 4th generation screening tests and first real-time viral load test on the market.

Diagnostic screening and viral load monitoring tests play a critical role in the early detection and management of HIV infection. These tests make it possible to prevent further transmission and improve patient care. With regular viral load monitoring, clinicians are able to detect resistance to treatment and adjust patients’ regimens accordingly, enhancing their quality of life.

“A major player in the field of infectious disease diagnostics, bioMérieux has been committed to HIV testing for over 25 years, from the very start of the epidemic. As the AIDS virus evolves, we are constantly striving to develop new testing solutions to meet the changing needs of clinicians and their patients,” stated Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of bioMérieux.

bioMérieux’s new test, an updated version of NucliSENS EasyQ HIV-1 v1.2 runs on its molecular diagnostics platform, NucliSENS EasyQ®, with patented NASBA® real-time amplification and detection technology. NucliSENS HIV-1 v2.0 provides the fastest results available today, in less than 3 hours. The new test can be used with both plasma samples and Dry Blood Spot (DBS) samples.

bioMérieux is the only company to offer a CE approved Dry Blood Spot protocol for viral load monitoring. In this simple protocol, contrary to liquid samples, no preparation of the blood is needed and the sample is absorbed onto filter paper, eliminating the need for refrigerated transport and storage before extraction (even in tropical climates). Samples can be collected at local health clinics with no need for a laboratory and skilled technicians. bioMérieux’s DBS protocol meets the need for a standardized and validated procedure for any remote laboratory in a limited-resource setting.

31% of people with HIV/AIDS in low- and middle- income countries receive ART (anti retroviral therapy)1. DBS is of particular interest for countries scaling up their viral load monitoring as the number of patients receiving ART increases2. Before the DBS protocol, patients often had to travel to be tested, now bioMérieux brings the test to the patient. NucliSENS EasyQ HIV-1 v2.0 with DBS gives remote healthcare settings access to the most advanced technology, enabling patients who could previously not be monitored to receive treatment.

NucliSENS EasyQ® HIV-1 v2.0 joins bioMérieux’s unique range of solutions covers 3rd and 4th generation screening tests in a variety of formats : NucliSENS EasyQ® (molecular tests for real-time viral load monitoring), VIDAS® (automated immunoanalyzers), VIRONOSTIKA® (microplates for high volumes) and VIKIA® (rapid manual tests).

1. 2009 WHO Website
2. 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic - UNAIDS