Innovative GFAP blood biomarker test expands
Labcorp's portfolio of tests for diseases including Alzheimer's
disease, multiple sclerosis, glioblastoma and brain
injuries
BURLINGTON, N.C., April 15,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a global
leader of innovative and comprehensive laboratory services, today
announced the availability of the nation's first test for glial
fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a critical blood-based biomarker
for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases and
neurological injuries.
The new GFAP test – a first-of-its-kind test to be offered
commercially nationwide – offers physicians a more efficient
pathway to assess the presence and progression of neurodegenerative
diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis,
glioblastoma and injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI). The
biomarker test also expands on Labcorp's comprehensive neurology
portfolio, which includes biomarker tests for neurofilament light
chain (NfL), pTau181, pTau217 and beta amyloid 42/40.
"The introduction of the GFAP biomarker test marks a significant
milestone for Labcorp, extending our leadership in the rapidly
accelerating field of blood-based biomarkers for neurodegenerative
diseases," said Dr. Brian Caveney,
Labcorp's chief medical and scientific officer. "The breadth of our
portfolio reflects our commitment to providing physicians with
cutting-edge technology for the evaluation and treatment of
neurodegeneration to enhance and improve patient care."
The GFAP test utilizes highly sensitive immunoassay technology
to measure the presence of GFAP from a simple blood draw, which can
be conducted in hospitals, a physician's office or any of Labcorp's
more than 2,000 patient service centers across the country.
GFAP typically exists in the brain's support cells, known as
astrocytes. In the context of neurodegenerative disease or injury,
astrocytes release GFAP into the blood, allowing brain injury and
disease to be assessed through a simple blood draw. GFAP has been
widely studied as a valuable early-stage indicator of neurological
damage.
For more information about the GFAP test and its applications in
patient care, please visit
https://www.labcorp.com/tests/484430/glial-fibrillary-acid-protein-gfap-serum
About Labcorp
Labcorp (NYSE: LH) is a global leader of innovative and
comprehensive laboratory services that helps doctors, hospitals,
pharmaceutical companies, researchers and patients make clear and
confident decisions. We provide insights and advance science to
improve health and improve lives through our unparalleled
diagnostics and drug development laboratory capabilities. The
company's more than 67,000 employees serve clients in approximately
100 countries, provided support for 84% of the new drugs and
therapeutic products approved in 2023 by the FDA, and performed
more than 600 million tests for patients around the world. Learn
more about us at www.labcorp.com.
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SOURCE Labcorp