Abbott and Axis-Shield plc have entered an exclusive partnership for the Afinion system, an immunoassay instrument designed for use in physician office laboratories and hospital point-of-care settings.

Currently, marketed outside the United States, the Afinion system offers tests for a variety of medical conditions. In July, the Afinion system and first test, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is used in monitoring glycemic control in patients with diabetes, received 510(k) clearance from the US FDA.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott was appointed as exclusive distributor of the Afinion instrument and test cartridges for physicians' offices and hospitals in the United States. Additionally, Abbott will supply certain AxSYM and IMx reagents to Axis-Shield to accelerate expansion of the Afinion menu.

"This agreement with Abbott provides the commercial strength to build a solid customer base for Afinion in the United States," Svein Lien, chief executive officer, Axis-Shield said adding, "Furthermore, we are excited about working with Abbott to utilize AxSYM and IMx reagents to grow the Afinion menu."

Abbott and Axis-Shield have worked together for more than 10 years and partnered on numerous tests for use on the AxSYM and IMx immunoassay instrument systems. Recent collaborations include tests for AxSYM BNP, AxSYM Testosterone and IMx Sirolimus.

Michael J. Collins, vice president, US Commercial Operations, Abbott Diagnostics said, "This agreement allows us to add a point-of-care instrument with a test for diabetes that should be appealing for physician offices, clinics and other point-of-care settings."