The COVID-19 situation and impact on MedTech

COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, has presented a humanitarian crisis like no other, impacting directly on frontline healthcare delivery and creating disruption forming unprecedented challenges for societies and economies across the globe.

COVID-19 has put the MedTech industry at center stage with unparalleled demand for diagnostic tests, instruments and the much-needed efforts of the global scientific community to rapidly develop solutions to monitor and manage the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Recent research indicates, that while many of whom become infected by the disease will experience mild to moderate cold or flu-like symptoms, those with pre-existing health complications – such as autoimmune diseases, asthma, heart disease and diabetes – are at risk of developing serious illness and adverse outcomes. In turn, thus creating more demand on healthcare globally and the MedTech industry to rapidly adapt and upscale production.

In response to the COIVD-19 pandemic, Randox Laboratories rapidly adapted and rose to the challenge, introducing new solutions to detect SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) on current molecular instrumentation utilising Biochip Technology – the Evidence Investigator. As COVID-19 presented new healthcare challenges globally, it is vital that fast and accurate diagnostic testing strategies are implemented for effective risk stratification, monitoring of treatment efficacy and recovery.

Offering solutions for PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 from viral specimens on an array of platforms including the Evidence Investigator & the Vivalytic in collaboration with a partnership with Bosch Healthcare Solutions have allowed for effective diagnosis, treatment and management to be implemented globally.

It’s widely recognised that the Randox’s contribution to the MedTech industry has impacted the effective management and monitoring of vascular abnormalities and associated complications in the immune regulation and inflammation in which SARS-CoV-2 infection interrupts. Effectively, the Cytokine Array from Randox on the Evidence Investigator establishes the body’s response to a variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Randox offers testing solutions for a comprehensive range of cytokines, cytokine receptors and growth factors designed to assist with COVID-19 risk stratification, monitoring of treatment efficacy and recovery. Cytokine storms are a common complication of SARS-CoV-2 infection triggering viral sepsis, where viral replication and excessive, uncontrolled systemic inflammation may lead to pneumonitis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure, shock, multiple organ failure, secondary bacterial pneumonia, and potentially death.

Analysis of COVID-19 patients revealed that Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is commonly associated with a very high mortality rate highlighting the need for more accurate patient testing. Offering a multiplex, superior testing panel for kidney injury management in COVID-19 management in patients allows for a wider insight into a patient’s renal function, more so than serum creatinine measurement alone for the detection of impaired kidney function are well known.

Randox’s solutions go beyond SARS-CoV-2 detection. Offering a wide range of clinical chemistry instruments – the RX series diverse range of semi-automated and fully automated analysers offering the worlds largest test menu have allowed the MedTech industry to effectively provide the need for diagnostic testing with a range of high performance and unique reagents.

As the virus became more known and research established the need for effective monitoring, Randox reagents and instruments provided clinicians with the need to adapt and strive to fight the increase in COVID-19. Offering the world’s largest chemistry test menu, Randox assays for COVID-19 management range from CRP & Ferritin for inflammation monitoring, liver function tests including albumin, ALT, AST, and Bilirubin as patients with COVID-19 are at a higher risk of liver injury or impairment along with renal function tests such as Creatinine and Cystatin C to monitor kidney function.

LDH is another key marker for the identification of COVID-19 patients at higher risk of developing severe respiratory failure along with G6PDH. Chloroquine has been investigated as a potential treatment, the anti-malaria drug however could have devastating consequences for those with a G6PDH deficiency. It has also been widely documented globally that Lp(a) identifies patients with either baseline elevated Lp(a) or patients whose Lp(a) levels increased following infection from COVID-19, or both, may be at a significantly increased risk of developing thrombosis. Elevated Lp(a) levels may cause acute destabilisation of pre-existing but quiescent, atherosclerotic plaques, which could induce an acute myocardial infarction and stroke.