Summary of Divisions:

• Manufacturer of biochemical reagents serving the needs of biochemical research in glycobiology, immunology, and microbiology.
• Manufacturer of rapid, simple, and stable diagnostic test kits for visual and qualitative (yes/no) tests serving point of care (POC)
• Manufacturer of portable instruments for quantitative assay serving the research, health care, and environmental industries.

Biochemical Group

Obeying Darwin’s slogan, “survival of the fittest”, pathogenic microorganisms mutate and survive the onslaught of antibiotics, thereby creating new challenges for the biomedical research industries. The new drug-resistant strain of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), masked with carbohydrates, tubercle bacillus, and other microorganisms, threatens the future survival of humankind. Basic research into better understanding of this pathogenic virus and breakthrough drug discoveries will help head off this and other diseases. EY’s new reagents for carbohydrate, immunological research, and, more recently, DNA-related reagents are catered specially to these areas .As a result of our research, EY, for example, was the first to introduce lectin and lectin conjugates for basic research and is still the world’s largest supplier of labeled lectin conjugates.

Diagnostic Group

Synergy from the latest advances in bioassay technology, optics, computing and electronics has made it possible to obtain quantitative analytic test results in seconds instead of minutes or hours required previously. This advance is the culmination of decades of research, starting with EY’s patented “Immunological Determination” method (1981) and continuing with today’s multiple analyte simultaneous assays. While earlier tests required many steps and reagents, hours of time, tests can now be performed in minutes with only two to three steps and using self-contained reagents. While earlier quantitative tests required the use of bulky and expensive desktop equipment based on light beams, kilovolt power supplies, and photomultiplier tubes, quantitative results can now be obtained simply in a fraction of a second with an inexpensive, handheld, battery-powered instrument (US patent issued February 1998).
In the last ten years, EY has used its patented “Directed Flow Diagnostic Device” (1991) to make HIV 1+2 rapid assay tests using colloidal gold as a signal generator in the membrane-based immunoassay device. This product has been manufactured by EY and is marketed around the world under the names HIVCHEK(TM) (Ortho), HIVSPOT(TM) (Genelabs), and HIVSCAN(TM) . Progress continues as four years ago, and through a combination of physical and chemical advances, we introduced a simpler and faster rapid test. The latest design increases the tests’ sensitivity and specificity and yet will be available at a still lower price. In addition to HIV 1+2, we are now offering tests for HCV, HBsAg, Torch members, and H. pylori. These tests advance the state of the art for “point of care” or “field testing” and allow the sample choice of whole blood (preferably fresh), serum, plasma, saliva, or urine. Further, as a result of several advances in chemistry, we are currently developing tests for cancer, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), malaria, and cardiomarkers. These tests will be exceptionally simple to perform. We will also be introducing single devices that test for multiple analytes simultaneously, providing vital diagnostic information within minutes. Combined with our portable electronic instrument, many of these tests will be available for rapid and quantitative readout.
These advances are only possible as the result of years of research on these reagents, the flow dynamics of different kinds of samples and other key parameters of rapid testing systems. This research has made possible the rapid detection, within seconds or minutes, of extremely small amounts of material in solution, quantities as low as a few parts per billion. With our portable instrument, detection is not only rapid but also quantitative and highly sensitive. The result is a unique system that is suitable for clinical diagnostic application in near patient care, point of care, and small clinical and pathology laboratories.
In 1995, EY introduced a simpler and faster test that has greater sensitivity and specificity at a reduced cost. The new one-minute InstantCHEK(TM) Assay format has been adapted to new tests that we are now offering: HIV 1+2, HCV, HbsAg, Helicobacter pylori, and Torch members.Tests are also available as combo tests for more than one antigen, for example a single test may be used to detect both HIV 1+2 and HCV. Tests under development include cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, cardiac markers, and parasites (malaria, giardia, cryptosporidia, and trypanosoma).