Cardiff, UK – 9th January 2014 – EKF Diagnostics, a global diagnostics company, is pleased to announce that its Quo-Lab HbA1c point-of-care analyzer has successfully achieved International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) certification.

The IFCC maintains the JCTLM (Joint Committee for Traceability in Laboratory Medicine) endorsed reference measurement procedure for HbA1c, accepted worldwide as the analytical control for traceability of HbA1c measurement.

To participate in the program manufacturers are required to register and report the results of twenty four samples (two per month) from across the measurement range. The samples are supplied by an IFCC Reference Laboratory.

“The awarding of this certification allows us to report results traceable to the IFCC reference method for quantitative determination of HbA1c,” said Gavin Jones, Diabetes Product Manager EKF Diagnostics. “Together with the existing NGSP certification we achieved from 2012, the IFCC award demonstrates conclusively that Quo-Lab meets all of the demanding standards set by independent certifying bodies.”

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing is globally recognized as the gold standard in monitoring of diabetic patients, enabling more complete control of their disease management. The Quo-Lab analyzer offers laboratory accurate results from just 4 uL of blood with a user friendly interface, simplifying the process even further.

For more information on EKF Diagnostics, please visit www.ekfdiagnostics.com.

About EKF Diagnostics www.ekfdiagnostics.com 
EKF Diagnostics Holdings plc specializes in the development, production and worldwide distribution of point-of-care blood analyzers for use in the detection and management of diabetes, anemia, lactate and kidney related diseases. Its new Molecular division focuses on molecular and companion diagnostics.

Point-of-care diagnostics: EKF Diagnostics’ expertise covers the entire in vitro diagnostics chain, from fermentation and enzyme production, to liquid reagent manufacture, design and building of world-class diagnostic devices, and distribution of rapid test kits for infectious diseases and pregnancy. The EKF analyzer range is used widely in GP surgeries, pharmacies, blood banks, sports clinics, hospitals and laboratories for glucose, lactate, hemoglobin, hematocrit and HbA1c measurement.

Companion Diagnostics: In March 2013 EKF set up a new division to focus on molecular and companion diagnostics - EKF Molecular Diagnostics develops technologies for cancer gene detection. Through its acquisition of UK-based 360 Genomics and by offering innovative products with the potential to change current DNA extraction and detection practices, EKF is addressing the fast growing companion diagnostics market.

EKF Diagnostics products are sold in more than 100 countries around the globe. EKF Diagnostics’ strengths lie in its multi-national research and manufacturing facilities, teams of experienced analysts and engineers in Germany, Ireland, USA and the UK, and a board led by some of world’s foremost authorities in medical diagnostics.