Home page > News & events > News > LGC Standards offers new IRMM reference materia...

16/11/2011 - LGC Standards offers new IRMM reference material for C-reactive protein

Updated reference material for C-reactive protein available from LGC Standards

LGC Standards, Europe’s leading supplier of reference materials, has expanded its range of clinical reference standards from the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), to include an updated material for C-reactive protein (CRP).

CRP is a very sensitive marker of inflammation and tissue damage, making it one of the most important analytes in clinical chemistry. Results of CRP analysis are routinely used in the diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections, the assessment of disease activity in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and the determination of the long-term risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

IRMM has released a new reference material certified for CRP (ERM-DA474/IFCC) as the successor to reference materials ERM-DA472/IFCC and ERM-DA470, which have been almost entirely sold out following intense worldwide demand. Characterised using the reference material ERM-DA470 as a calibrant, the new material will ensure continuity in the standardisation of CRP, making it possible for laboratories worldwide to compare results over time and between hospitals and countries.

The new reference material ERM-DA474/IFCC is intended to be used to assign values to calibrators that are an integral part of in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVD). The EU Directive on In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices (IVD-MD) (Directive 98/79/EC) requires traceability of calibrants and control materials to reference measurement procedures and/or reference materials of higher order. The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC), which actively supports standardisation in clinical chemistry, has collaborated with IRMM on the development of ERM-DA474/IFCC.

Intensive research during production has led to an improved formulation of the material (e.g. liquid frozen instead of lyophilised and the addition of calcium chloride), to ensure that the CRP displays the same characteristics as the protein in fresh patient samples. The preparation of the material and its characterisation are described in a comprehensive certification report, which is available together with the certificate.

For further information on this new C-reactive protein reference material, or to place an order please visit the LGC webshop (www.lgcstandards.com/shop), contact your local LGC Standards sales office, or email: askus@lgcstandards.com

- Ends -

Notes to editors
About LGC Standards
LGC Standards (www.lgcstandards.com) provides products and services to improve measurement and quality control within the laboratory, and is part of LGC, whose LGC Science & Technology Division acts as the UK National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurements. LGC Standards supplies over 100,000 products, including reference materials, pharmaceutical impurity reference standards (produced under ISO Guide 34 accreditation), biological standards and reagents, and proficiency testing. LGC Standards is headquartered in Teddington, Middlesex, UK. Its global centre for excellence in proficiency testing is located in Bury (Greater Manchester). LGC Standards has offices in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, China, Russia, United Arab Emirates and the UK, a joint venture presence in India, and representatives in Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Romania, Turkey and the US.

About LGC
LGC (www.lgcgroup.com) is an international science-based company and market leader in analytical, forensic, biotechnology, diagnostic and product services and reference standards. LGC operates in a variety of markets which underpin the safety, health and security of the public and the regulation of industry, for both public and private sector clients.

LGC operates internationally through four divisions - LGC Forensics, LGC Genomics, LGC Standards and LGC Science & Technology. The latter includes specialist laboratories delivering contracts for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and supports LGC's designated role as the UK's National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurement.

Our operations are extensively accredited to international quality standards such as ISO/IEC 17025. With headquarters in Teddington, South West London, the LGC Group employs ca 1,460 staff in 31 laboratories and centres globally. Privatised in 1996 and now majority-owned by funds managed by Bridgepoint, LGC was founded almost 170 years ago as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist - a statutory function maintained by LGC today.

For further information contact:

Jane Firth
Business Sector Manager
LGC Standards, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LY, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7323
Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 7009
Email: jane.firth@lgcstandards.com
Web: www.lgcstandards.com
Webshop: www.lgcstandards.com/shop

Gavin Dallas
Communications / Press Officer
LGC, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LY, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000
Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767
Direct Line: +44 (0)20 8943 8491
Email: gavin.dallas@lgcgroup.com
Web: www.lgcgroup.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LGCGroup
Blog: www.blog.lgcgroup.com

LGC - setting standards in analytical science

Phone:

16/11/2011 - LGC Standards offers new IRMM reference material for C-reactive protein

News & events

Industry news