26 Apr Third Wave releases reagents for Hepatitis C testing
MADISON – Third Wave Technologies announced a new line of genotyping reagents for the Hepatitis C virus Monday at the 20th Annual Clinical Virology Symposium in Florida.
The Hepatitis C virus is the leading cause of liver disease in the United States and affects 4 million Americans, leading to about 10,000 deaths annually, according to a company statement. The new reagents, part of Third Wave’s Invader product line, allow labs to develop tests for the six different types of Hepatitis C.
Knowing which version of the virus someone has allows doctors to decide on the right treatments. In addition to physicians, medical researchers could use the tests in studies of the virus. Third Wave estimates the market for Hepatitis C genotyping in the United States in Europe at $50 million.
“This product provides us with a superior molecular solution for entry into an additional market segment,” said John Puisis, president of Third Wave. “As we continue to accelerate high-value products from pipeline to market, we are further establishing our position in the molecular diagnostic industry.”
Third Wave’s Invader platform supports tests for a variety of diseases. Last month, the company announced the release of reagents for cystic fibrosis tests.