ARKRAY, creator of the world’s first HLPC HbA1c clinical analyser, has launched its brand into the UK and Europe. Its innovative diabetes testing systems are being marketed and supported directly to customers, rather than through a distributor.
The Japanese company has been a global leader in diabetes solutions for more than 60 years, with a product portfolio spanning high-performance liquid chromatography (HLPC) analysers and urinalysis systems through to rapid, near-patient handheld devices.
The new general manager is David Eyre, bringing a background in senior management at Bio-Rad, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics as well as Japanese brand Tosoh. Since he was appointed less than six months ago, the UK organisation has hit the ground running. It has established its headquarters in High Wycombe, with its own demonstration and training facility, and built a core business development team of experienced clinical diagnostics experts and sales professionals.
“We’ve set up a dynamic and very experienced team to spearhead the debut of the ARKRAY brand into the UK and Ireland,” said David Eyre. “The company has an impressive heritage, respected in many parts of the world for its blend of scientific excellence, precision and superb product performance.
“However, the name itself may not always be immediately recognised by UK pathologists. In fact, NHS laboratories already rely heavily on instruments underpinned by ARKRAY technology to streamline their workflow. We provide a range of diabetes testing solutions validated for the clinical laboratory - from compact, standalone systems to larger high-performance HLPC platforms able to integrate into the automation tracks of NHS pathology networks.”
ARKRAY is marking its UK debut into the clinical diagnostics market with the launch of its latest HLPC platform, the ADAMS A1c, HA-8190V. This is a fully automated glycohaemoglobin (HbA1c) analyser based on HPLC. HA-8190V detects and separates variant haemoglobin automatically and can run in dual modes to optimise workflow through the laboratory. When in ‘Fast’ mode it delivers HbA1c test results within 24 seconds, and 58 seconds in ‘Variant’ mode.
The company is also targeting the expanding point-of-care market and unveiled The Lab 001 at the recent Diabetes Professional Care event in London. This is a unique product, the fastest point-of-care HbA1c analyser of its kind. The compact device uses capillary electrophoresis technology with results delivered within 90 seconds from a fingerpick of blood. As David explained: “Accurate, laboratory equivalent HbA1c results can be obtained even in the presence of sickle cell anaemia, raised HbF and other variants which could interfere with an accurate interpretation.”
ARKRAY has established a new distribution operation based in Dublin to service countries across mainland Europe, as well as Ireland and the UK. “This ensures we can meet the increasing demand for products and offer a quick turnaround of urgent items,” added David.