News Archive

6/15/2000
ImmunoCAP^® Use Increasing
(Kalamazoo, Mich., June 15, 2000) - Many researchers presenting studies at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) used Pharmacia & Upjohn's ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Blood Test to detect antibodies to allergy-causing substances, thus indicating if a specific allergy exists. The ImmunoCAP system provides standardized measurement of the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These antibodies can occur even in patients who do not exhibit clinical symptoms.

Presentations at the AAAAI meeting recognized the benefit of using the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Blood Test to examine a variety of allergens in their clinical routines, as evidenced in the Dilemmas and Difficult Food Allergy Cases AAAAI scientific workshop. These presentations demonstrate that the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Blood Test can assist physicians with detection of IgE-mediated allergy with greater accuracy and precision than other technologies, such as RAST™. Such detection of specific IgE antibodies allows the physician to recommend appropriate treatment as well as careful avoidance strategies.

ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Blood Tests are conducted in a laboratory, using a small sample of the patient's blood to test for sensitivity to specific allergens. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cleared Pharmacia & Upjohn to market 30 new allergens for use with the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Blood Test. This brings the total FDA-cleared tests for allergens using the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Blood Test to 316, and Pharmacia & Upjohn continues to lead in FDA clearances for allergens.

"ImmunoCAP, already the broadest line of FDA-cleared laboratory tests for allergy, may now be used to safely test for even more allergens by offering physicians a safe, effective and reliable alternative to other testing," said Michael Land, vice president and general manager, Pharmacia & Upjohn U.S. Diagnostics. "The test may be used by primary care physicians to improve allergy diagnostic accuracy and overall patient management," added Land.

Physicians interested in learning how to order allergy testing using the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Blood Test may call 1-877-862-4947.

Pharmacia & Upjohn's Diagnostics business, headquartered in Uppsala, Sweden, is a world leader in in vitro diagnostic research and product innovation.

Pharmacia & Upjohn is a global, innovation-driven pharmaceutical and health care company. Pharmacia & Upjohn's products, services and employees demonstrate its commitment to improving wellness and quality of life for people around the world.

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