The Siemens Healthcare Sector, one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids, recently introduced INNOVANCE VWF Ac Assay, enabling clinical laboratories to use polystyrene particles (latex-based beads) rather than platelets to measure the quantitative determination of von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity.

ADVANCE recently spoke with Michael Noeh, vice president, Global Marketing Hematology, Hemostasis, and Specialty Business Unit, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, about the technology.

ADVANCE: Why was this product created?
Noeh: Siemens launched its INNOVANCE VWF Ac Assay to provide the clinical laboratory diagnostics market with a breakthrough new tool for the reliable and convenient diagnosis and management of bleeding disorders.

ADVANCE: How does it work?
Noeh: The Siemens INNOVANCE VWF Ac Assay provides stable and sensitive VWF determination by leveraging advanced technology that allows it to mimic the reaction in which VWF binds to glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), the major VWF receptor protein on platelets.

ADVANCE: How does it improve upon already-available technology?
Noeh: The assay enables clinical laboratories to use polystyrene particles (latex-based beads) rather than platelets to measure the quantitative determination of von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity--a protein that helps induce blood to clot--promoting excellent stability and accurate results. 

ADVANCE: What's unique about it?
Noeh: The INNOVANCE VWF Ac Assay is unique in part due to its revolutionary technology that uses polystyrene particles (latex-based beads) rather than platelets to measure the quantitative determination of von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity. 

ADVANCE: How will it help patients?
Noeh: One benefit of the test to patients is that it can help support more timely diagnosis of von Willebrand factor activity and subsequent physician-recommended treatment paths to manage this disease.

ADVANCE: How does it help lab professionals perform their jobs?
Noeh: The INNOVANCE VWF Ac Assay helps promote excellent stability and accurate results for lab professionals testing for von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity.