Quest Diagnostics HemoCue AB Subsidiary to Add Avie(TM) Hemoglobin A1c to Diabetes Point-of-Care ...( Agreement to Distribute MEC HbA1c Tes...),Health

Agreement to Distribute MEC HbA1c Test To Provide Physicians in U.S. and Europe With Fast, Accurate Near-Patient Test for Diabetes Monitoring

MADISON, N.J., June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- HemoCue AB, an international company in the field of point-of-care testing and a subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), today announced that it has signed an agreement with MEC Dynamics Corp (MEC) for the exclusive distribution of the Avie(TM) A1c point-of-care test in the United States and Europe. The test will provide physicians with a Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) result in about three minutes, helping them to provide direct patient feedback and make informed decisions at the point of care regarding their patient's diabetes treatment plan. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

In the United States, 23.6 million people or 8 percent of the population had diabetes in 2007, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Prevalence in Europe is similar to the U.S. In 2003, 7.8% of Europe's population had diabetes, and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) expects that number to increase to 10.9% by 2025. Diabetes is characterized by glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia. The latter represents a high level of glucose in the blood, which, if not properly monitored and managed, can lead to serious complications such as renal and cardiovascular disease.

"With a point-of-care test such as Avie A1c, a physician treating a diabetic patient will be able to test the patient during an office visit, without prior patient fasting, and determine if the patient's HbA1c number exceeds recommended levels," according to Jon R. Cohen, M.D., Quest Diagnostics Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. "Having quality values at the point of care creates an opportunity for a physician to ask questions,
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