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Catachem Announces the Introduction of the Potassium (K) In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Chemistry Reagent Kit. Bridgeport,
Connecticut, USA (November 25, 2003)…. Catachem, Inc. (Catachem, Private)
today announced the addition of the Potassium (K) in vitro diagnostic chemistry
reagent kit to Catachem’s product line of over 30 chemistries and more than
diagnostic 100 products. Potassium
is one of the most important electrolytes in the body. Potassium is needed for
proper nerve and muscle (including heart) function. It helps regulate the water
balance (the amount of fluid inside and surrounding the cells) and electrolyte
balance of the body. Potassium levels can be affected by kidney function, blood
pH, the amount of potassium in the diet, hormone levels in the body, excessive
vomiting, and by taking certain medications (including potassium supplements).
Certain cancer therapies that rapidly destroy cancer cells can also increase
blood levels of potassium. Potassium
levels in the blood usually vary with sodium levels. When sodium levels
increase, potassium levels decrease, and vice versa. A potassium level that is
too high or too low can be dangerous. Abnormal potassium levels may cause
symptoms such as muscle cramps or weakness, nausea, diarrhea, frequent
urination, dehydration, low blood pressure, confusion, irritability, paralysis,
and changes in heart rhythm. Potassium
is determined spectrophotometrically through a kinetic coupling assay system
using a potassium dependent enzyme K-lyase™. NADH generated in the coupling
enzymatic reaction reduces a water soluble colorless tetrazolium salt, WST-1 in
the presence of an electron mediator, 1-methoxy-5-methyl-phenazinium methyl
sulfate (PMS) to form a water soluble formazan dye which has a maximum
absorbance at 438 nm. The corresponding increase of optical density at 438 nm is
proportional to the potassium concentration in the serum.
K is a two reagent chemistry available in one size.
Reagents are packaged ready-to-use in glass bottles: K Kit, PN CC113A
performs 520 tests. Benjamin
Twombly, Vice President Sales and Marketing, commented, “The addition of this
new assay provides a more comprehensive open channel liquid chemistry
Electrolyte Panel. Customers no
longer need bear the expense, nor require the high sample volumes, needed for
ISE probe determination of electrolytes. This is particularly important when
there is low specimen volume, extensive testing to be completed or in veterinary
applications where specimen volume is necessarily low.” Luis P. Leon,
President, commented, “We are pleased to add this assay to our product
line”. About
Catachem, Inc. Catachem
has a rich 20 year history in clinical chemistry as a manufacturer and
distributor of in-vitro chemistry products and services for human, veterinary
and environmental laboratories. Catachem chemists helped develop many of the
automated diagnostic chemistries widely in use today. Catachem created the DiscretePak™
and VetSpec™ line of reagents
for human and veterinary automated analyzers.
Catachem offers FDA approved (510K) chemistries (liquid and dry)
including enzymatic chemistries developed in conjunction with IFCC and CDC.
Catachem has more than 500 applications for all types of analyzers
including the Roche™, Hitachi™, Olympus™,
AU Series™, RA Series™, Opera™,
DAX™, Bayer™, Advia™,
Synchron™, Beckman™, Abbott™
and many other analyzers. Corporate
headquarters, research, custom formulation laboratories, and manufacturing are
located in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Catachem
supplies leading laboratories and equipment manufacturers from distributors
around the world. Forward-looking
statements in this release are made pursuant to the ``safe harbor'' provision of
the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the
results of research and development efforts, the effect of regulation by the
United States Food and Drug Administration and other agencies, the impact of
competitive products, product development commercialization and
technological difficulties, and other risks detailed in the Company's
periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Keywords: Catachem,
Chemistry, Reagents, In-Vitro Diagnostics, IVD, Potassium, K For
more information contact: Benjamin Twombly Catachem
chemistries include: 5'-Nucleotidase (5NT), Adenosine Deaminase (ADA), Alanine
Aminotransferase (ALT), Albumin BCG (ALB), a-L-Fucosidase (AFU), Alkaline
Phosphatase (ALP), Ammonia (NH), Amylase (AMY), Aspartate Aminotransferase
(ALP), β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), Bicarbonate (HC03), Bile Acids (BA),
Bilirubin, Direct with Blank (DBILI), Bilirubin, Total with Blank (TBILI),
Bilirubin, Total (TBILI), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Bromide (BR), CO2 [340]
(CO2), CO2 [380] (CO2), CO2 [single reagent] (CO2), Ca+++ Arsenazo [650NM]
(CA3), Chloride [340 NM] (CL), Cholesterol (CH), Creatine Kinase (CK),
Creatinine (CREAT), Fructosamine [millimole method] (FR), Fructosamine, Glycated
Serum Protein [enzymatic] (FR), Gamma-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT), Glucose
Hexokinase (GLU), Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), High Density Lipoproteins,
Dextran Sulfate (HDL), Inorganic Phosphorus (IP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LD),
Lipase (LIP), Lithium [enzymatic] (LI), Magnesium (MG), N-Acetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase
(NAG), Potassium [enzymatic] (K), Plasma Free Hemoglobin (PFH), Pre-albumin (TBPA),
Sodium [enzymatic] (NA), Sorbitol Dehydrogenase (SDH), Thiopurine
methyltransferase (TPMT), Total Bile Acids (TBA), Total Iron (TI), Total Protein
(TP), Triglycerides (TRIG), UIBC and TIBC (UIBC), Uric Acid (UA), Vitamin B6
(V6B), Multipoint Calibrator Catacal, Catatrol Level 1 Catatrol Level 2, Bile
Acids Control, Bile Acids Calibrator, BHBA Calibrator, BHBA Control Level 1,
BHBA Control Level 2; Bromide Calibrator, BR Control Level 1, BR Control Level
2; Fructosamine Calibrator, FR Control Level 1, FR Control Level 2, SDH Control
Level 1, SDH Control Level 2. Call
+1 (203) 335-9277 or Write Catachem@aol.com. |
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