BURLINGTON, N.C. - Labcorp (NYSE: LH), a provider of laboratory services, announced the release of a new blood test that detects phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217), a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease. This test is now available for physicians to order and for use in clinical trials and research.
The pTau217 test is designed to assist in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and monitor patients undergoing treatment with new Alzheimer's therapies. Labcorp's addition of this test enhances its Alzheimer's testing portfolio, which includes the beta-amyloid 42/40 ratio test and the neurofilament light chain (NfL) test, as well as the ATN Profile that combines three blood biomarkers.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting an estimated 6.7 million Americans, with projections suggesting this number could rise to 13.8 million by 2060. The pTau217 marker has been instrumental in Alzheimer's drug trials, particularly for monitoring patients on anti-amyloid therapy.
Dr. Brian Caveney, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Labcorp, stated, "The introduction of pTau217 represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing testing capabilities across the spectrum of Alzheimer's disease. By expanding our suite of blood-based biomarker tests, we are empowering clinicians and pharma with more tools for clinical trials and for the detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's to improve patient care."
Labcorp's role in the healthcare industry extends beyond diagnostics, as the company is involved in drug development and has contributed to the approval of new drugs by the FDA. With over 67,000 employees, Labcorp serves clients in more than 100 countries and performed over 600 million tests for patients globally in the past year.
This new test is part of Labcorp's efforts to provide innovative services that aid in the early detection and management of diseases such as Alzheimer's. The introduction of the pTau217 blood test is based on a press release statement from Labcorp.
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