Sep 4, 2009 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory Pathology
Applying principals of analytic chemistry to advance value of histopathology
In Bergamo, Italy, a vision of “patient first” anatomic pathology is under construction in a unique way. At the corporate headquarters of Milestone Medical, Founder, President and self styled “Chief Dreamer” Franco Visinoni is actively investing to develop pre-analytical tools and products specifically designed to support same day—or faster—diagnoses by pathologists.
This week, your Dark Daily Editor Robert L. Michel visited Visinoni in Bergamo to learn, first-hand, about this company which has a rather low profile in the United States.
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Sep 2, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Managed Care Contracts & Payer Reimbursement
Labtests succeeds Sonic’s DML as the primary lab test provider in Auckland area
One of the world’s most interest experiments in government contracting for clinical laboratory testing services is unfolding in Auckland, New Zealand. Next Monday, September 7, Labtests will assume full responsibility for testing approximately 12,000 patients per day in a brand-new laboratory facility that has only conducted testing on a limited basis since August 10, 2008.
On that same day, Diagnostic Medlab’s (DML) existing contract with the District Health Boards in greater Auckland will terminate. Earlier, on August 18, DML’s parent company, Sonic Healthcare Ltd. (ASX:SHL) of Sydney, Australia, announced plans to shutter DML’s laboratory facility and write-off its Auckland-based business division.
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Aug 31, 2009 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Early example of how in-store walk-up clinics may expand their lab testing services
Pathologists concerned that in-store walk-up clinics might become important laboratory testing centers will be interested to learn about the latest development. The largest operator of these in-store clinics has just partnered with an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturer for exclusive access to a new rapid diagnostic test.
MinuteClinic, the pioneer and largest operator of in-store health clinics, has a deal with Rapid Pathogen Screening, Inc. (RPS), a Sarasota, Fla.-based biotechnology company, to offer the RPS Adeno Detector test for conjunctivitis, or pink eye. This new point-of-care (POC) test will be initially offered at the MinuteClinics located in 23 CVS pharmacy stores in the Atlanta area.
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Aug 26, 2009 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
Deal with Abbott Labs gives Neogenomics access to proprietary probes
Diagnostic testing for melanoma generates a substantial number of tests annually, making it a lucrative target for any clinical laboratory or biotech company that can develop an assay that utilizes state-of-the-art molecular technologies and offers improved detection and accuracy.
Once company working to develop such a new diagnostic test for melanoma is Neogenomics, Inc. (OTC:NGNM.OB). It announced an agreement with Abbott Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:ABT). on July 24, 2009. Abbott Laboratories will supply Neogenomics with proprietary probes to develop and commercialize its own FISH-based (Fluorescence in situ hyrbridization) test for melanoma.
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Aug 24, 2009 | Digital Pathology, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory Pathology
Upcoming Pathology Visions conference will tackle digital pathology advances
Digital pathology is entering a new phase of adoption marked by three significant trends. This is the assessment of Dirk Soenksen, Founder and CEO of Aperio Technologies, Inc., in Vista, California. He believes these three trends are working together to accelerate the adoption of digital imaging and digital pathology systems by pathology laboratories across the nation.
Soenksen has observed the following three trends in recent months:
- The desire by some pathologists who already use digital pathology in niche settings to expand the use of digital pathology within their laboratories to partial or full adoption.
- A heightened interest by laboratory information system (LIS) vendors to integrate their software with digital image management (pathology PACS) software, as a way to improve their competitive advantage.
- Widespread support for the newly formed Digital Pathology Association (DPA) a not-for-profit group comprising industry and non-industry members, and its mission to focus on education, best practices, and increasing awareness.
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