Helena Laboratories Corporation  

1530 Lindbergh Drive
Beaumont,  TX  77707

United States
https://www.helena.com

• Booth: 2238

 Press Releases

• A1AT Assays in Two Sizes to Meet Volume Demands (Apr 24, 2024)
  Helena has expanded the availability of the SPIFE Alpha-1 Antitrypsin 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 in a quick, easy and cost-effective platform.
  The SPIFE Touch is the proven workhorse solution for clinical gel electrophoresis needs. 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 are available for flexibility in meeting testing demands. A touch screen interface, faster processing and organized workflow mean greater daily run efficiency.
  Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency is the most common genetic risk factor for COPD and causes liver disease. According to the NIH National Heart and Blood Institute there are 16 million in the USA with COPD and millions more undiagnosed. The American Lung Association recommends all individuals with COPD or emphysema be tested for A1AT deficiency. Early diagnosis is essential as lung damage is not reversible, but treatment can slow progression.
   

• New Capillary Electrophoresis Technology in Development at Helena Laborator (Apr 24, 2024)
  Engineers and scientists at Helena Biosciences Europe and Helena Laboratories USA have been collaborating to radically improve every aspect of clinical capillary electrophoresis capabilities in the V8 Ultra CE analyzer. At the front end, powerful sample management capabilities are built in including laboratory track connectivity and support for the Max Ultra CE tube handling system. Integrated cap piercing technology and sample agitation for whole blood hemolysates will make sample processing easier.
  At the heart of the system, next-gen buffer chemistries coupled with a new capillary array and an innovative LED+deuterium light source have shown improved separation, greater resolution and reduced noise. The new precision system features shorter, narrower capillaries with bubble cell technology, active cooling, and superior capillary recovery. Capillary-to-capillary data characteristics are outstanding. Add to that generous sample tube capabilities and versatile multi-buffer operation, and the V8 Ultra CE delivers a high throughput capacity that can handle complex sample workload needs throughout the day with superior efficiency and reproducibility.
  The developers haven’t stopped there. The user interface has been redesigned to provide easier navigation with clearer screen layout and enhanced trace display to aid interpretation and reporting. Additional convenience features include automated buffer replenishment, buffer bottle purging and high-capacity waste recovery collection.
  The V8 Ultra CE will be the must-have capillary electrophoresis system for the foreseeable future. Stop by Helena Laboratories Booth# 2238 at ADLM 2024 Clinical Lab Expo for a sneak preview.
   

• SPIFE Nexus Automated Platform for IFE, Protein and Hemoglobin Expands to C (Apr 24, 2024)
  The new SPIFE Nexus Cholesterol Profile assay totally automates direct measurement of the cholesterol content of LDL, HDL, VLDL and Lp(a). Lp(a)-c does not suffer the inaccuracies of Lp(a)-mass assays caused by isoform size variations. About 20% of the population are genetic expressors of highly atherogenic Lp(a) and distinguishing between LDL-c and Lp(a)-c is vital to appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Nexus Cholesterol Profile kits accommodate up to 40, 60, 80 or 100 samples per gel.
  The new SPIFE Nexus Isoenzyme assays for CK, LD and alkaline phosphatase make isoenzyme testing by electrophoresis as easy as any immunochemical or chemistry analyzer method with the added benefits of being the reference method, fewer false positives, fewer repeat tests, identification of atypicals, and visual confirmation of results. Nexus CK and ALP isoenzyme kits accommodate up to 20 or 40 samples per gel, while the Nexus LD isoenzyme kits accommodate up to 20, 40 or 60 samples per run.
  The SPIFE Nexus fully automated gel electrophoresis analyzer has been well received as an effective solution to high labor costs and the shortage of skilled laboratory workers. Based on the proven ability of the SPIFE agarose gel platform, SPIFE Nexus reimagines all processing steps from sampling to final reports with linking to capillary results as well. A fully precise and reproducible run can be completed with just five minutes of hands-on time. With the addition of these new assays, the broadened SPIFE Nexus menu of assays now includes serum and urine immunofixation, serum and urine proteins, acid and alkaline hemoglobins, cholesterol profile with Lp(a)-c, CK and LD isoenzymes and Alkaline Phosphatase isoenzymes.
   

• Dr. Gurmukh Singh to Lead July 31st Workshop on Enhancing Sensitivity of Im (Apr 24, 2024)
  Always committed to education, Helena will sponsor a workshop on immunofixation techniques lead by Dr. Gurmukh Singh, Shepeard Chair in Clinical Pathology and Chief of Clinical Pathology at Augusta University Medical College of Georgia, and moderated by Dr. Robert Galen, Professor Emeritus, College of Public Health, University of Georgia. This industry-sponsored workshop, held in conjunction with the ADLM 2024 Clinical Lab Expo, will be on Wednesday, July 31st at 6 pm in room Hyde Park A of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
  This workshop will focus on techniques to enhance the sensitivity of serum and urine immunofixation electrophoresis with evidence for improvement in detection of monoclonal immunoglobulins. The modified methods compare favorably with the sensitivity of mass spectroscopy and show suitability for detecting Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) in multiple myeloma. Emphasis will be placed on using undiluted serum and concentrated urine, the use of antisera to free immunoglobulin light chains, and immunosubtraction theory and technique to increase serum sensitivity for lambda light chains. Modifications to the procedure will be covered in detail so that any laboratory performing protein electrophoresis could execute the procedures without the need to acquire any additional equipment, personnel or expertise.
  Gurmukh Singh, MD, PhD, MBA, FCAP, CPE, FAAPL has over forty years of expertise in health care and education. Dr. Singh specializes in experimental research, immunopathology, anatomic and clinical pathology, and is keen to continue his clinical research on multiple myeloma to further advance treatment options and care information.
  The workshop is open to clinical laboratory professionals. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
   

• Drs. Leslie Donato and Vlad Vasile of the Mayo Clinic to Present Lp(a) Work (Apr 24, 2024)
  Helena is pleased to sponsor an industry workshop in conjunction with the ADLM 2024 Clinical Lab Expo, with Dr. Leslie J. Donato and Dr. Vlad C. Vasile of the Mayo Clinic as keynote speakers. The workshop, “Lipoprotein(a): Laboratory Testing and Clinical Use”, will be on Tuesday, July 30th at 6 pm in the Hyde Park room of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
  Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a member of the apoB family of lipoproteins which bears independent risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Approximately 20% of individuals have elevations in Lp(a); most of these patients are unaware of the risk because screening for Lp(a) is not routinely implemented in clinical practice. The workshop will examine standard and esoteric testing for Lp(a) and how the complexity of the molecular structure of this biomarker influences measurements and challenges the clinical laboratory. Discussion will cover the atherosclerotic risk associated with Lp(a) and who benefits from Lp(a) testing, as well as clinical strategies to evaluate Lp(a) and how to interpret Lp(a) results.
  Leslie J. Donato, PhD, is a Clinical Chemist at the Mayo Clinic serving as Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Co-Director of Hospital Clinical Lab and POC Testing, and Co-Director of Cardiovascular Laboratory Medicine. Vlad C. Vasile, MD, PhD, is a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic serving as Assistant Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Co-Director of Cardiovascular Laboratory Medicine.
  The workshop is open to clinical laboratory professionals. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.