Alere India hosts Alere Biomarker Conclave 2013, introduces rapid diagnostic test system Triage

Medical experts from all over India, including cardiologists, internists, primary care physicians, emergency medicine physicians, clinical laboratorians and nephrologists, reportedly gathered at the third edition of the Alere Biomarker Conclave on October 5-6, 2013, to discuss the most up-to-date standards in clinical application of biomarkers for early diagnosis and better prognosis.

Alere India, a leading provider of near-patient diagnostics and health information solutions, hosted the two-day annual event. On the first day, three back-to-back sessions were held on topics such as biomarkers in acute coronary syndromes, biomarkers in heart failure, and biomarkers of renal injury and failure.

At the conference Alere showcased its Triage System, a novel, rapid diagnostic test system comprising a meter and various test devices that will supposedly improve a physician’s ability to diagnose critical diseases and health conditions including heart failure and myocardial infarction as well as aid in assessing patients for pulmonary embolism.

Said Program Director, Dr Alan S Maisel, Director, Coronary Care Unit and Heart Failure Program, VA San Diego Healthcare System, “I am delighted that the Alere Biomarker Conclave 2013 empowered the participants to better utilise the current standards of care associated with the application of biomarkers in cardio-vascular disease. It gave them an opportunity to review recent literature that demonstrates diagnostic, prognostic, risk stratification and monitoring of the disease via biomarkers. The attendees also got to evaluate the recent consensus document on ACS and HF for India and determine how biomarkers may play a role in determining therapeutic targets.”

Delivering the welcome note, Sanjeev Johar, CEO, Alere India, added, “Biomarkers have come to occupy an important place in our diagnostic procedures. They not only improve diagnostic accuracy, but also provide information about the present disease state, thereby aiding clinicians in deciding how aggressively the disease needs to be treated. We have been trying to create awareness about these vital investigative modalities by organising the Alere Biomarker Conclaves in various cities of India. This year in Gurgaon, the discussions focused on newer biomarkers and guidelines.”

Panelists at the Alere Biomarker Conclave 2013 included Dr Maisel as Chairman, with Dr Brian Pinto, Director of Cardiology – Holy Family Cardiac Institute (Mumbai), and Dr Jamshed J Dalal, Director – Centre for Cardiac Sciences, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, co-chairing the event. The evidence-based curriculum of the Conclave included topics like:

• Latest biomarker application with natriuretic peptides
• Latest biomarker application with troponins
• Newer biomarkers in cardio-renal diseases
• A review of national databases and quality initiatives
• Update on application of necrosis, inflammatory and ischemia markers as they emerge
• Interpreting guidelines and recommendations for biomarker utility in acute and chronic cardiac care
• Markers as surrogate endpoints for clinical investigation
• Interactive and practical discussions on bio-markers applied to case studies and care pathways to expedite care

EH News Bureau