American Diagnostica Inc. announced it has acquired the manufacturing rights to the Axis-Shield von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Activity Kit from Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Dundee, Scotland.  This assay uses a novel vWF antibody and allows the rapid determination of vWF activity.  vWF, an important protein in the coagulation cascade, serves as a carrier that stabilizes factor VIII and acts as an adhesion protein in clotting.  von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) is considered to be the most common bleeding disorder, with an incidence of 1 in 100 persons, caused by defects in, or reduced levels of, vWF.

American Diagnostica has sold this product under the IMUBIND^® trademark for many years.  Dr. Richard Hart, President of American Diagnostica, commented:  “We are very pleased to be able to acquire the manufacturing rights to this important in-vitro diagnostic product from Axis-Shield Diagnostics.  By manufacturing this product, we will be able to promote it more aggressively with our other coagulation tests through our world-wide network of subsidiaries and distributors.”