IRIS International Introduces New Urine Chemistry Analyzer At The CLMA ThinkLab '06 Conference And Exhibition
Chatsworth, CA - IRIS International, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of automated IVD urinalysis systems and medical devices used in hospitals and clinical reference laboratories worldwide, announced that the Company unveiled its new iChem100 Urine Chemistry Analyzer at the CLMA (Clinical Laboratory Management Association) ThinkLab '06 Conference and Exhibition in Charlotte, N.C.
The iChem100 analyzer, its associated iChem Urine Chemistry Strip and the visual read vChem Urine Chemistry Strips product lines, were introduced to nearly 3,500 laboratory professionals who attended the exhibition at the Charlotte Convention Center.
The iChem100 is a semi-automated, benchtop instrument designed for small clinical laboratories testing up to 50 samples per day, which include small hospitals, outpatient clinics, alternate care facilities, nursing homes and large physician offices.
"These product lines open up new urine chemistry market segments, enabling IRIS to further penetrate the estimated $500 million global urine chemistry market," stated IRIS President and Chief Executive Officer Cesar Garcia. "The iChem100 will be marketed domestically by a new distribution network and internationally through a combination of our established overseas laboratory distributors and new distributors who specialize in physician office sales."
"Looking toward the future, we are progressing with the development of a fully automated urine chemistry analyzer to complement our existing line of highly successful iQ200 Automated Microscopy Analyzers and expect to complete a prototype during the second half of this year. This will enable IRIS to offer an even more comprehensive product line and begin penetrating the international automated urine chemistry market."
IRIS' product expansion is a result of its own research as well as from technology leveraged from its May 2005 acquisition of Quidel Corporation's urine chemistry product line. The iChem100 is an enhanced model of Quidel's chemistry analyzer. As a result of the many improvements implemented on this instrument, IRIS recently submitted a 510 application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking market clearance for the iChem100 Analyzer and the iChem Urine Chemistry Test Strip.
SOURCE: IRIS International, Inc.