Quest Diagnostics 1996 Annual Report Download - page 16

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specialty testing methods through
the development, manufacture and
marketing of diagnostic test kits and
diagnostic testing systems. We cur-
rently distribute test kits to over 35
countries around the world through
an international network of wholly-
owned subsidiaries and distributors.
We introduced the world’s first and
only non-invasive chemiluminescence
intra-operative parathyroid hormone
assay with FDA clearance, allowing
surgeons to accurately localize hard-
to-find tissue during surgery for
quantitative hormone assessment.
Later this year we will begin shipping
a new state-of-the-art product, the
Nichols Advantage™ analyzer, which
economically provides a highly
automated and very high quality
specialized testing capability.
From the new products we develop
at Nichols Institute Diagnostics to
the important job our Academic
Associates perform in helping
us transfer academic research to the
commercial marketplace, we are
working hard to provide answers for
better health care decisions.
Last year Nichols Institute established
a Molecular Microbiology Department,
affording new reference laboratory
capabilities in all areas of infectious
disease -- including classical microbi-
ology and virology, molecular micro-
biology, serology, and immunology.
Today, Nichols Institute also leads the
way in immunoassay methods for
measurement of circulating hormone
levels and sensitive tests to help doc-
tors in breast cancer prognosis.
Recent developments also include the
validation of blood serum tumor
marker assays to detect breast, blad-
der, prostate, lung, pancreas, liver
and colorectal cancers, sequencing of
the p53 gene, comprehensive prena-
tal molecular biology testing utilizing
Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization
(FISH) technology, and the detection
of abnormal pregnancies using chro-
mosome studies.
Nichols Institute Diagnostics
Through Nichols Institute
Diagnostics, we are bringing new lev-
els of detection technology to physi-
cians, hospitals, clinics and commer-
cial laboratories. Nichols Institute
Diagnostics brings on-site access to
Our 57 Academic
Associates in leading
research institutions
around the world help us
translate the latest medical
discoveries into clinical
applications for our labora-
tories. Jorge Leon, Ph.D.,
Director of Biotechnology
Research & Development
at Quest Diagnostics
Nichols Institute, is working
closely with renowned
breast cancer specialist
Dr. Marc Lippman,
Director of the Vincent T.
Lombardi Cancer Research
Center at the Georgetown
University Medical Center,
to develop new tests to
help doctors select more
effective therapies for
breast cancer patients.