Chiron Vaccines is part of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics. They are the world leader in blood safety, providing a range of screening solutions. Their products are used to test over 25 million blood donations provided annually throughout the world. Currently, their research and development is focused on the vCJD Assay and the Enzymatic Conversion System. The first is an enhanced immunoassay designed to detect the abnormal protein particles associated with variant Creuzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a rare and fatal brain disorder believed to be caused by eating cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) for which there is currently no known treatment. The latter is an enzymatic conversion system to convert A, B and AB blood cells to enzyme-converted group O RBCs which are being developed to be suitable for transfusion to individuals of all blood types, reducing the problems caused by shortages of group O red cells in blood banks.

Products

Transcription-mediated Amplification (TMA) technology enables simultaneous detection of multiple viruses in a single tube, allowing scientists to screen blood samples in fewer steps and thus, faster times. Instruments in this range include the PROCLEIX TIGRIS System, the PROCLEIX Reagent Preparation Incubator and the OPTIVA Front-End Pipetter. Software includes the PROCLEIX NAT TRACKER and the PROCLEIX Optiva Pooling, and the PROCLEIX WNV Assay and the PROCLEIX ULTRIC Assay are amongst the range of assays.

www.chiron.com

• Return to list