Southwestern lab selects Third Wave reagents for Hepatitis tests

MADISON, Wis. — Third Wave Technologies Inc. has announced that the southwestern laboratory network TriCore Reference Laboratories has adopted Third Wave's Invader Hepatitis C Virus genotyping reagents.

The reagents are part of tests that can identify all six types of the Hepatitis C virus, a blood-transmitted disease estimated to be chronic in 4 million Americans. As many as 80 percent of those infected do not know it, according to Third Wave's company statement.

"Third Wave is very pleased with TriCore's adoption of our Invader(R) HCV genotyping product," John Puisis, Third Wave's chief executive, said in a statement. "Customer response to our HCV genotyping product has been favorable, even in the relatively short time it has been on the market. We look forward to demonstrating additional, sustained traction in the market through the balance of 2004 and beyond."

TriCore has its headquarters in Albuquerque, N.M. The company provides laboratory services to clients across the Southwest United States, including New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.

Other diseases tested by Invader-based products include cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that leads to potentially fatal lung infections, and a variety of other cardiovascular and blood-related conditions.