Abbott to Feature Acute HIV Diagnostic, Metabolic Function Tests and Lab Informatics at American Association for Clinical Chemistry Annual Meeting

Abbott Park, Illinois (NYSE: ABT) — Abbott announced its schedule of key workshops and scientific presentations at the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) annual meeting, July 24-28 in Atlanta. The company will sponsor four scientific industry workshops covering topics such as HIV, transplant and vitamin D diagnostics as well as laboratory informatics solutions. In addition, Abbott scientists and collaborators will present 26 scientific posters and one oral presentation, and nine stage lectures at the Abbott booth (#2531).

“Global leadership in diagnostics requires a serious commitment to scientific excellence and developing customer-focused solutions that allow laboratories to enhance their productivity, reduce hands-on testing time, and provide better clinical outcomes,” said Brian Blaser, senior vice president, Diagnostics, Abbott. “At AACC, Abbott will present many of the solutions we offer our customers to address increasing workload demands on labs and to help improve patient care.”
Abbott’s AACC Workshops (all times are Eastern Standard Time)

Note: All sessions will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel in the Marquis Ballroom. Specific rooms are listed below.

*Enhancing Laboratory Operations Through Analytical Quality and Informatics
July 26, 7:00 to 8:30 a.m., Salon A

Speakers:


Sten Westgard, Westgard QC, Inc., Madison, Wis.
Martin Kroll, M.D., Boston Medical Center
Lucy Nam, M.D., INOVA Health System, Fairfax, Va.

This workshop will inform laboratorians on methods for improving overall quality by objectively and quantitatively assessing instrument performance. Dr. Kroll will review an enhanced protocol for the Abbott ARCHITECT analyzer using Abbott’s automation and analytical and informatics solutions. Dr. Nam will share insights on using middleware to improve laboratory operations cross an entire health network.

*Advances in HIV Diagnostics: The Importance of Acute HIV and User Experience with a Combination HIV Antigen-Antibody Assay
July 26, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Salon A

Speakers:


Leo Serrano, FACHE, DLM(ASCP)CM Avera McKennon Hospital and University Health Center, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Peter Leone, M.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
S. Michele Owen, Ph.D., CDC – Division of HIV/AIDS Preventio

Presenters will cover current data on HIV prevalence, the clinical and public health implications of missed acute HIV infections, and the experience after one year of using an HIV antigen-antibody combination assay to detect acute infection.

*Current Challenges in Transplantation and Immunosuppressive Drug Monitoring
July 27, 7:00 to 8:30 a.m., Salon A

Speakers :


Gary A. Levy, M.D., University of Toronto Transplantation Institute
Daniel M. Levine, Ph.D., The Rogosin Institute, New York, N.Y.

The workshop will review results of a global tacrolimus testing proficiency study and discuss use of the tacrolimus assay for monitoring the drug at low doses to assist physicians in minimizing toxicity for transplant patients.

*Vitamin D: Current Aspects in Disease and the Role of Laboratory Testing
July 27, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Salon B

Speakers:


Neil Binkley, M.D., University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis.
Etienne Cavalier, Ph.D., University Hospital of Liege, Belgium

The workshop will cover physiology of vitamin D, the association of vitamin D deficiencies with specific diseases, and the role vitamin D plays for disease prevention. Laboratory testing methods will be reviewed with a focus on assay performance and issues concerning possible standardization of vitamin D test methods.

Scientific posters and oral presentations sponsored by Abbott in the AACC scientific program (selected highlights):

*ICE: Poster #A-84, Seago
“Abbott ARCHITECT ICT (ISE) Module Evaluation of NIST SRMs and Sigma Metrics”
July 26, 10:00 a.m. – 12: 00 p.m.

*Cancer: Poster #A-67, Aw
“The Use of HE4 as a Biomarker for Ovarian Cancer”
July 26, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

*Transplant: Poster #B-26, Maine
“Global Tacrolimus Proficiency Study”
July 26, 2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

*Renal: Oral Presentation, Li
“Urine NGAL Predicts AKI, Clinical Outcomes and Survival in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury”
July 26, 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

*Cardiac: Poster #C-02, Racek
“Myeloperoxidase and Cardiac Troponin I in Patients with Chest Pain and Suspicion of Acute Coronary Syndrome”
July 27, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

*Clinical Chemistry: Poster #D-76, Armbruster
“Bias (trueness) of Six Field Methods Estimated by Comparison to Reference Methods and Comparability of Results Within a Family of Analyzers”
July 27, 2:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.

*Metabolic: Poster # E-37, Venkatesh-Murphy
"Performance Evaluation of the Abbott ARCHITECT 25-OH Vitamin D Assay”
July 28, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The Abbott exhibit booth also features main stage lectures from prominent leaders in laboratory medicine which are scheduled July 26-28. A complete list of Abbott’s posters, workshops and presentations can be found at www.abbottdiagnostics-aacc.com. Other materials and information will be available at Abbott’s booth (#2531).

About Abbott Diagnostics

Abbott is a global leader in in vitro diagnostics and offers a broad range of innovative instrument systems and tests for hospitals, reference labs, molecular labs, blood banks, physician offices and clinics. With more than 69,000 customers in more than 100 countries, Abbott’s diagnostic products offer customers automation, convenience, bedside testing, cost effectiveness and flexibility. Abbott has helped transform the practice of medical diagnosis from an art to a science through the company’s commitment to improving patient care and lowering costs.

About Abbott

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs nearly 90,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.