BD has released its BD MAX bench-top molecular system that can run both BD developed assays and ones created in the laboratory. As such it can be a powerful tool in detecting emerging new pathogens. The BD Max automates the testing process by enabling technicians to simply load user-defined primers/probes to reagent strips along with a group of samples and walk away. The system’s simplified user-defined protocols allow technicians to mix different samples and assays within a single run.
BD MAX is the first and only fully automated, bench-top molecular system designed to perform a broad range of molecular tests. This includes in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays, but also user-defined protocols and life science research applications. The BD MAX System gives clinical laboratory professionals new ability to help their institutions respond to emerging threats, such as new strains of deadly drug-resistant bacteria or respiratory illnesses.
“Saving a patient’s life often hinges upon clinicians’ access to rapid, accurate and actionable diagnostic information, especially in the case of an emerging infectious disease,” said Tom Polen, President of BD Diagnostics – Diagnostic Systems. “The BD MAX System empowers laboratories to provide this critical information by giving them the capability to automate and standardize their unique protocols on a state-of-the-art platform. We aim for the BD MAX System to become an indispensible tool in the laboratory that is equivalent to a smartphone.”
According to Polen, BD intends a steady stream of announcements regarding agreements with best-in-class IVD assay developers to bring new tests to the BD MAX System for a broad range of disease categories. “When a lab expresses a need to detect a specific organism or emerging disease, we want the BD MAX System to be a solution,” said Polen.
According to a company representative, in May 2011, BD announced an agreement with Diagenode SA, an international biotech company based in Belgium, to co-develop seven initial molecular diagnostic assays on the BD MAX System for pathogens associated with respiratory, enteric and central nervous system diseases. Under this agreement, Diagenode will begin developing seven initial CE-marked assays for the BD MAX System, using its open system capability. These initial assays will include a respiratory panel for diagnosing respiratory infections, two panels for diagnosing virus- and parasite-based gastrointestinal infections and a panel for differentially diagnosing meningitis. BD plans to fully integrate these in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays onto the BD MAX platform and ultimately assume responsibility for manufacturing and commercializing the tests globally.
Press release: BD Launches BD MAX™ System in U.S. to Empower Laboratories and Clinicians to Respond to Emerging Diseases…
Product page: BD MAX System…
