Abcam, a supplier of protein research material and kits, has teamed up with bioanalytical measurement solutions expert Molecular Devices to develop screening tools for the life science industry.
The initial focus of this transatlantic collaboration is on creating new high-sensitivity fluorescent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. These immunoassays are used to detect and quantify substances such as peptides and proteins in basic research, high throughput screening and diagnostics.
The final product, called CatchPoint SimpleStep ELISA kits, combines the speed of Adcam’s single-wash protocol that reduces assay time to 90 minutes or less with Molecular Devices’ fluorescent technology. Compared to TMB substrate, using a fluorescent substrate offers “improved linearity over an extended dynamic range [that provides] better quantification at both the lower and the upper end of the curve,” described Abcam on its website.
“Optimized for our industry-leading plate readers, these kits will provide customers with a cohesive solution that enables better results faster,” said Scott Greenstone, Molecular Devices’ director of open innovation and reagents, in a statement.
These combined kits are sold by U.K.-based Abcam, and Greestone said the two companies will work together throughout 2018 to further expand the offering.
A November 2016 report by Markets and Markets predicted that the global immunoassay market—including for research and diagnostic purposes—will grow from about $17 billion to over $25 billion by 2021, with hospitals accounting for the largest share.