FDA Approves New Test for Earlier Detection of Rheumatoid Arthritis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given its approval to a new blood test that will allow rheumatologists to detect rheumatoid arthritis earlier in the disease process..

The test detects antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) in the blood. Presence of CCP antibodies is evidence of early rheumatoid arthritis.

The effectiveness of the test was shown in global studies on over 2,700 blood samples.

"We are very pleased that the test can now be sold in the key American market -- we believe anti-CCP is a major step forward in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis," said Svein Lien, CEO of Axis-Shield.

The test is licensed from the University of Neijmegen and was developed by Axis-Shield researchers.

Other sources: Axis-Shield PLC