Helena Laboratories Corporation  

• Booth: 1031

 Press Releases

• Next-Gen Capillary Electrophoresis Technology in Development at Helena Labo (Apr 14, 2025)
  Helena Biosciences Europe and Helena Laboratories USA have been collaborating to redefine clinical capillary electrophoresis with the up-and-coming V8 UltraCE analyzer. Designed for superlative productivity and precision, the V8 UltraCE includes advanced buffer chemistries, a new shorter, narrower capillary array, and an innovative LED+deuterium light source to deliver exceptional resolution, signal clarity, and noise reduction. NanoCell technology, active cooling, and superior capillary recovery add to the ability of V8 UltraCE to produce faster, more reproducible separations across runs. Capillary-to-capillary data characteristics are unparalleled.
  Helena engineers and scientists are also loading the V8 UltraCE with powerful sample management capabilities, laboratory track connectivity, generous sample tube handling with Max UltraCE, integrated cap piercing and sample agitation for whole blood hemolysates, and versatile multi-buffer operation. V8 UltraCE delivers a high throughput capacity that can handle complex sample workload needs throughout the day with superior efficiency and reproducibility.
  The developers didn’t stop there. The user interface has been re-imagined to provide intuitive navigation, enhanced trace display, and easier interpretation and reporting. Features like automated buffer replenishment, buffer bottle purging, and high-capacity waste recovery collection also add operational convenience.
  The V8 UltraCE is poised to become the must-have system for capillary electrophoresis. Preview it at Helena Laboratories Booth# 1031 at ADLM 2025 Clinical Lab Expo.

• SPIFE Nexus Automated Elp Platform Expands to Include Cholesterol with Lp(a (Apr 16, 2025)
  The SPIFE Nexus now features a fully automated Cholesterol Profile assay, allowing direct quantification of the cholesterol content of LDL, HDL, VLDL and Lp(a). Unlike Lp(a)-mass measurements, the Lp(a)-c assay avoids inaccuracies caused by isoform size variability, improving diagnostic specificity. Accurate assessment of Lp(a)-c is vital to identifying, risk stratifying, and guiding therapeutic decisions for the 20% of the population who are genetic expressors of this highly atherogenic lipoprotein. SPIFE Nexus Cholesterol Profile kits are available in configurations supporting up to 40, 60, 80 or 100 samples per gel.
  The new SPIFE Nexus isoenzyme assays for CK, LD and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) simplify and automate electrophoretic testing with all the innate benefits of being the reference method: fewer false positives, fewer repeat tests, atypical pattern detection, and visual confirmation of results. Yet it’s as easy as any immunochemical or chemistry analyzer method. CK and ALP isoenzyme kits accommodate up to 20 or 40 samples per gel; LD isoenzyme kits support up to 20, 40 or 60 samples per run.
  SPIFE Nexus has been well received as an effective answer to high labor costs and the shortage of skilled laboratory workers. As an advanced, fully automated gel electrophoresis solution, SPIFE Nexus streamlines testing from sample prep to final reporting, with linking to capillary results as well. A thoroughly automated, precise and reproducible run of proteins or immunofixation can be completed with just five minutes of hands-on time.
  With these new additions, the SPIFE Nexus assay menu now includes serum and urine immunofixation, serum and urine proteins, acid and alkaline hemoglobins, cholesterol profile with Lp(a)-c, and CK, LD and ALP isoenzymes.
  Stop by Helena Laboratories Booth# 1031 at ADLM 2025 Clinical Lab Expo for a demonstration of the SPIFE Nexus, the most advanced automated analyzer for clinical gel electrophoresis.

• A1AT Assays Now in Two Sizes to Meet Volume Demands (Apr 16, 2025)
  Helena has expanded the availability of the SPIFE Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (A1AT) assay to two kit configurations to accommodate up to 20 or up to 40 samples per electrophoresis gel. These assays enable identification of all phenotypes clinically relevant to lung and liver disease with excellent sensitivity.  The A1AT assay is currently available on the SPIFE Touch platform and in development for the SPIFE Nexus.
  Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency is the most common genetic risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and also causes liver disease. According to the NIH National Heart and Blood Institute, approximately 16 million Americans have COPD with millions more undiagnosed. The American Lung Association recommends A1AT testing for all individuals with COPD or emphysema. Early diagnosis is critical as lung damage is not reversible, but timely treatment can slow disease progression.
  The SPIFE Touch is the trusted solution for clinical gel electrophoresis. It’s versatile and reliable with a full menu of analytes including proteins, IFEs, hemoglobins, direct cholesterol with Lp(a)-c, isoenzymes, lipoproteins, A1AT, and oligoclonal banding. Multiple gel sizes and an intuitive touchscreen interface support higher throughput and efficient workflow.

• Dr. Gurmukh Singh to Lead July 30th Workshop on “Rational Use of Free Imm (Apr 16, 2025)
  Helena Laboratories, in keeping with its commitment to advancing clinical education, will host a workshop on free light chain analysis led by Gurmukh Singh, MD, PhD, MBA, Shepeard Chair in Clinical Pathology and Chief of Clinical Pathology at Augusta University Medical College of Georgia. The session will be moderated by Dr. Robert Galen, Professor Emeritus, College of Public Health, University of Georgia. This industry-sponsored workshop, held in conjunction with the ADLM 2025 Clinical Lab Expo, will take place on Wednesday, July 30th at 6 pm at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
  The workshop will focus on critical analysis of the indications for serum free light chain (FLC) quantification and enhanced sensitivity methods for monoclonal free light chains in serum and urine. Plasma cells typically synthesize more light chains than heavy chains. These excess free light chains are detectable and quantifiable in serum and in urine. Only monoclonal light chains are pathogenic, and no disease appears to be caused by excess free polyclonal light chains. The monoclonal nature of free light chains can be established by serum and urine immunofixation or by mass spectrometric analysis.
  Attendees can expect to:

  • Understand judicious and effective use of serum free light chain assays.
  • Appreciate the limitations of serum free light chain assays.
  • Evaluate the pros and cons of screening for monoclonal gammopathies.

  Dr. Singh brings over four decades of clinical, academic, and research experience and expertise in immunopathology, anatomic and clinical pathology. He is keen to continue his clinical research to further expand treatment options and care information for multiple myeloma patients.
  The workshop is open to clinical laboratory professionals. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
   

• Drs. Leslie Donato and Jeffrey Meeusen of the Mayo Clinic to Present Hot To (Apr 16, 2025)
  Helena is pleased to sponsor an industry workshop in conjunction with the ADLM 2025 Clinical Lab Expo, featuring distinguished clinical chemists Leslie J. Donato, PhD and Jeffrey W. Meeusen, PhD of the Mayo Clinic as keynote speakers. The workshop “Hot Topics in Lipids: Novel LDL-C Equations and Lipoprotein(a)” will take held on Tuesday, July 29th at 6 pm at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
  Clinical laboratories have provided calculated LDL-C and Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] results for years, but recent advancements are bringing new clarity and clinical relevance. Novel equations greatly improve the accuracy of calculated LDL-C results in the basic lipid panel. This workshop will examine which patients benefit most from modern LDL-C equations, particularly Martin-Hopkins and Samson NIH, and explore the downstream impact on clinical decision making.
  Additionally, 20% of individuals have elevations in Lp(a), a genetic lipoprotein variant that increases risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events, yet most people have never been tested. Despite its significance, clinical laboratory testing is not standardized and treatment decisions are complex. With new therapeutic agents currently in clinical trials, the urgency to clearly identify and appropriately manage individuals with high Lp(a) has never been greater.
  Workshop goals:

  • Understand the clinical and analytical limitations of the Friedewald LDL-C equation and direct LDL measurements, particularly at elevated triglyceride levels, and their impact on risk stratification.

  • Recognize the benefits of adopting modern LDL-C equations to improve precision across diverse lipid profiles and to better inform cardiovascular risk management.
  • Assess standard and esoteric testing for Lp(a) and how its complex molecular structure challenges both laboratory measurements and clinical decision making.

  Dr. Donato serves as Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Co-Director of Hospital Clinical Lab and POC Testing, and Co-Director of Cardiovascular Laboratory Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Meeusen is Associate Director of the Clinical Chemistry Fellowship Program and Co-Director of Cardiovascular Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Specialty Laboratory, & Laboratory Services at the Mayo Clinic.
  The workshop is open to clinical laboratory professionals. Seating is first-come, first-served.