Moss, 29 September 2023
Gentian Diagnostics ASA, a fast-growing developer and manufacturer of diagnostic tests, is pleased to announce that its new CE-marked Gentian Retinol-Binding Protein Immunoassay is now available for sale. This diagnostic test is an insourced product from a reputable European supplier which has enabled Gentian to launch the product quickly and without significant R&D spend.
The assay is instrument independent and can be applied on a wide range of automated clinical chemistry analysers with a normal process time of less than 10 minutes.
The company sees an increasing demand for this assay, largely driven by an aging population and lifestyle associated diseases and deficiencies. Further, the company estimates the market for RBP to EUR 10-20 million. The initial market focus will be on Europe, followed by the US, both by pursuing established distribution channels, but also through new partners.
The Gentian RBP assay contributes to the diagnosis and monitoring of population wide diseases. RBP is a transport protein for retinol (vitamin A) in blood, synthesised in the liver and reabsorbed in the kidney. The diagnostic value is to be found in altered levels of circulating RBP in many conditions, including: vitamin A deficiency, undernutrition, renal dysfunction and diabetes.
The global increase of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and kidney disease as well as high prevalence of malnutrition, underlines the importance of analysing RBP to shed further light on these conditions. Studies show that RBP levels are elevated in patients with diabetes and renal dysfunction and reduced in conditions such as vitamin A deficiency and undernutrition [1,2]. Malnutrition presents a substantial socioeconomic challenge in today’s healthcare landscape, especially in long-term care facilities, where the prevalence has been reported to be as high as 85% [3].
Gentian Diagnostics’ CEO Dr. Hilja Ibert says: “Today’s launch of the Gentian Retinol-Binding Protein Immunoassay is part of our ambition to bring a steady stream of high-impact diagnostic tests to market, using our expertise in moving immunoassays from low-volume to high-volume clinical analysers”.
About Gentian Diagnostics
Gentian Diagnostics (OSE: GENT), founded in 2001, develops and manufactures high-quality, in vitro diagnostic reagents. Gentian’s expertise and focus lies within immunochemistry, specifically infections, inflammations, kidney failures and congestive heart failures. By converting existing and clinically relevant biomarkers to the most efficient automated, high-throughput analysers, the company contributes to saving costs and protect life. Gentian is based in Moss, Norway, serving the global and veterinary diagnostics markets through sales and representative offices in Sweden, USA and China. For more information, please visit www.gentian.com.
References:
- Tanumihardjo, S.A., et al., Biomarkers of Nutrition for Development (BOND)-Vitamin A Review. J Nutr, 2016. 146(9): p. 1816s-48s.
- Steinhoff, J.S., A. Lass, and M. Schupp, Retinoid Homeostasis and Beyond: How Retinol Binding Protein 4 Contributes to Health and Disease. Nutrients, 2022. 14(6).
- Bharadwaj, S., et al., Malnutrition: laboratory markers vs nutritional assessment. Gastroenterology Report, 4(4), 2016, 272–280