Bio/Data Corporation Releases New Control Plasma for vW Testing.

HORSHAM, Pa. -- Bio/Data Corporation ("Bio/Data") announced it has added a normal control plasma to its ristocetin cofactor assay product line, the family of reagents used in conjunction with the company's Platelet Aggregation Profiler(R) to estimate the quantity of von Willebrand Factor ("vWF") in plasma samples.

A deficiency of vWF affects platelet function, and accurate measurements can lead to a reliable diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease ("vWD"). This generally misunderstood, inherited bleeding disorder is nearly 100 times more common than hemophilia, and it frequently goes undiagnosed. A 2002 Universal Data Collection Program by the Centers for Disease Control estimated it affects up to 2% of the overall U.S. population.

In fact, a grant proposal by the National Hemophilia Foundation cited a review of studies by Dr. Stephanie Sememetis, who "found that 10 to 25% of women with vWD had undergone hysterectomy before being diagnosed with the bleeding disorder." vWD can also lead to anemia and complications from surgery and other trauma.

The Foundation has established a national campaign called "Project Red Flag," citing the need "to raise awareness about bleeding disorders in women generally, to connect women to hemophilia treatment centers for appropriate diagnosis and care, and to educate providers outside of hematology to recognize and properly treat bleeding disorders in women."

The growing awareness of vWD has impacted the demand for better platelet function testing. With a full line of vW reagents, laboratories now can have greater confidence in testing, because unexpected results are more readily understood.

"This means that all of the reagents necessary to test for the presence of von Willebrand Factor are available from Bio/Data," said Eugene J. Messa, president and chief executive officer. "This addition to our product line eliminates the variability created by using different reagent manufacturers with different standards and controls."

The product addition also positions the Horsham-based manufacturer, seller and distributor of hemostasis and platelet function medical laboratory products to attract customers who want to reduce assay variability and prefer one-stop shopping.

"Customers have been asking where they could purchase a normal control plasma and why we didn't make it," said Rodney W. Scarpelli, Bio/Data's Quality Assurance Manager. "Now we can tell them: 'Right here, at Bio/Data.'"

Bio/Data's other reagents for vW testing include: lyophilized platelets, ristocetin, sodium citrate, tris buffered saline, vW abnormal control plasma and vW normal reference plasma. Bio/Data Corporation is ISO 9001:2000 registered, and all its aggregation products are CE marked.