• Abbott (Des Plaines, Illinois) and Celera (Rockville, Maryland), an Applera business, reported that Abbott has received FDA approval to market the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 viral load test for use on the company's m2000 automated instrument system. The assay, for use on the new m2000 system, is designed to detect and precisely measure levels of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) circulating in a patient's blood (viral load), including the three major groups of HIV-1 as well as non-B subtypes. The test is intended for use as a marker of disease prognosis and an aid in assessing viral response to antiretroviral treatment. The m2000 system is based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology and is designed to efficiently detect and measure life-threatening viruses and bacteria in patient samples in less than five hours, compared to other testing methods that may take up to two days. Celera maintains an alliance with Abbott for the production of molecular, or nucleic acid-based, diagnostic products.

• DePuy Spine (Raynham, Massachusetts) reported launch of the Vertigraft VG2 TLIF allograft, a new bone product designed to facilitate graft insertion and bone growth during transforaminal lumbar spinal fusion (TLIF) surgery. The allograft is comprised of both cortical bone, which provides strength, and cancellous bone, which can promote osteoconductivity (bone growth). The construct is bullet-shaped for straight-in insertion between vertebrae, and is specially designed for oblique (diagonal) placement across the disc space whether the discs are parallel or lordotic. This allows for a less invasive lumbar fusion technique, as compared to the PLIF technique, that may reduce the risk of muscle or nerve damage. The allograft is made up of two cortical bone planks (3mm each) surrounding a 3-mm plank of cancellous bone at the core. The cortical bone provides biomechanical strength, and holds the vertebral bodies in place while the porous, cancellous core facilitates bone growth. DePuy Spine, a Johnson & Johnson company, makes products to treat spine disorders.

• GlucoLight (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) reported the successful conclusion of the company's first clinical study to evaluate their continuous non-invasive glucose monitor in the ICU environment. The principal objective of this first ICU study was to test the form and function of GlucoLight's Sentris-100, a continuous, non-invasive blood glucose-monitoring device for the acute care environment. Over the course of the study, 30 patients that had undergone cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were enrolled at the participating centers. The study provided over 1,000 hours of data, collected for analysis and interpretation by GlucoLight. GlucoLight is targeting the first introduction of the Sentris-100 in the ICU, where tight glycemic control has been shown to significantly improve survival, yet current monitoring provides only intermittent information. GlucoLight is a development-stage company focused on blood glucose monitoring in the acute care environment.

• Medtronic's Spinal and Biologics (Memphis, Tennessee) business reported the availability of Progenix DBM putty, distributed through its wholly-owned subsidiary SpinalGraft Technologies. Progenix is a bone graft substitute and bone void filler used in voids or gaps of the pelvis, ilium, and extremities. Progenix DBM putty provides excellent handling characteristics while offering surgeons a treatment option with proven bone formation, certified osteoinductivity, validated viral inactivation and device-level sterility. Bone voids or gaps can be surgically created defects or bony defects resulting from traumatic injury. Progenix DBM Putty provides a bone void filler that is resorbed and is replaced by host bone during the healing process. The spinal and biologics business at Medtronic is focused on advancing the treatment of spinal conditions.