QuidelOrtho Advancing Diagnostics for a Healthier Future

Developments in diagnostics during the COVID-19 pandemic were a surefire sign of much-needed innovations to accelerate the speed, accuracy, and accessibility of diagnostics across healthcare. Digital diagnostics, telehealth, and point-of-care testing solutions grew in prominence, setting new standards that enable healthcare providers to manage patient volumes while ensuring safety and accuracy. QuidelOrtho is a changemaker that transforms diagnostics by harnessing the power of data and technology.

The company’s mission statement underscores its commitment to superior and smarter diagnostics for improved health outcomes. QuidelOrtho was the first to receive approval from the US FDA for an antigen-based test to aid in the detection of the coronavirus!

In 2024 and beyond, QuidelOrtho is exploring opportunities to add new tests to diagnose other health conditions and diseases to its Savanna® Real-Time PCR Testing Platform. This addition would address a critical need and open new avenues for building intelligent solutions. 

QuidelOrtho’s robust and integrated platforms provide comprehensive diagnostic insights beyond simple test results. These platforms enable healthcare providers to deliver more personalized care and make optimal patient-care decisions.

Start of the Innovation Journey

QuidelOrtho was born from the merger of two great industry pioneers, Quidel Corporation and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, in 2022. Both companies embarked on a shared vision of serving patients fully by transforming diagnostic data into actionable insights. They shared a common legacy of innovation and excellence and combined these strengths to redefine possibilities in diagnostics.

Today, QuidelOrtho offers solutions that help serve the healthcare ecosystem, from small- to medium-volume/high-complexity hospitals to point-of-care settings in clinics and home use. As a unified company, QuidelOrtho boasts stronger innovation capabilities and leverages decades of expertise in the in-vitro diagnostics industry. Since healthcare diagnostics is the cornerstone of adequate healthcare, the company strives to keep up with the demand for patient- and customer-centric solutions. Their leadership and teams of dedicated researchers and scientists, with their unique experiences, build strategies and direction to advance as diagnostics innovators.

Being at the forefront of innovation in diagnostics allows us to contribute to a future where every individual has access to the best possible care.

Brian J. Blaser, the President and CEO of QuidelOrtho, also spoke about his role in driving a meaningful change in healthcare. He says, “Being at the forefront of innovation in diagnostics allows us to contribute to a future where every individual has access to the best possible care.” He believes the journey has been enriching, seeing how QuidelOrtho’s solutions positively impact lives around the globe and across the healthcare continuum.

QuidelOrtho’s innovation strategy is built on three core pillars: Cutting-Edge Technology, Collaborative Research, and Continuous Improvement. The company invests in advanced diagnostic technologies, such as molecular diagnostics and immunoassays, to develop products at the forefront of innovation. Its collaborative research with leading academic institutions and healthcare providers helps address emerging trends and clinical needs with relevant and practical solutions.

Solutions Impacting the Entire Care Continuum

When asked to talk about a flagship solution, Brian added that it is not about having just a single solution. QuidelOrtho’s innovations span centralized to decentralized areas, reference labs, regional reference labs, and up to at-home testing. Brian mentioned that the Sofia® 2 Platform is one of QuidelOrtho’s most recognizable solutions. It is a rapid immunoassay platform that epitomizes their commitment to impact the entire healthcare value chain.

The Sofia 2 platform is designed to provide rapid, accurate diagnostic results at the point of care using advanced fluorescence technology. This enables healthcare providers to make informed, timely decisions across the healthcare continuum – from large hospitals to physician office labs or pharmacies.

QuidelOrtho’s high-volume clinical laboratory solution delivers quality and efficiency when labs need them most. The Vitros® XT 7600 Integrated System and assays lead the industry in Six-Sigma-defined world-class or excellent quality. The Six Sigma classification on Vitros XT 7600 system creates quality assurance, enabling labs to deliver the right result the first time.

The system leverages Vitros MicroSlides, which incorporate dry-slide technology with no requirement for water and drains, making our solution flexible and easy to install.

Hospitals, especially small- to medium-volume ones, are segments where QuidelOrtho has successfully established its robust presence and value-add. This is a strategic position, as hospitals and hospital systems increasingly become the central hubs of healthcare delivery, responsible for a broader spectrum of care. They now own physician groups, urgent cares, and retail pharmacies, serving the entire continuum of care. Their solutions are integral in supporting these expanding needs, providing the right intelligence at the right time.

Beyond Diagnostic Results

Additionally, QuidelOrtho’s expertise is beyond delivering diagnostic results. The company also provides the intelligence that labs and doctors need to support their communities. QuidelOrtho’s solutions for lab professionals are designed to enhance workflow efficiency, reduce errors, and improve overall lab performance. By integrating advanced analytics and automation, these products help lab professionals deliver the highest levels of care with accuracy and speed, as demonstrated by our Vitros Systems, which can increase testing volume and improve turnaround times.

Staffing and labor shortages are significant challenges in the healthcare industry. QuidelOrtho’s products, designed for ease of use, reliability, and efficiency, help address these issues by reducing the need for highly technical labor. This allows existing staff to focus on tasks utilizing their expertise, knowledge, and skills, optimizing workforce productivity and enhancing overall healthcare delivery.

A Dependable Way of Infectious Disease Management

When asked about a notable use case, Brian mentioned an incident where the client needed help enhancing infectious disease management.

In a world still feeling the effects of the pandemic, a prominent healthcare provider network faced ongoing challenges with infectious disease outbreaks. They needed a swift and dependable way to identify and manage these cases to protect their patients and staff.

The Sofia 2 rapid testing platform provided an ideal solution. Its quick and accurate diagnostic results available at the point of care enabled the healthcare provider to swiftly identify and isolate affected individuals, preventing further spread within their facilities.

The Sofia 2 platform delivered the speed the provider needed to make prompt decisions with diagnostic results in minutes, not hours. It also provided accurate and reliable patient management results and offered the precision to effectively contain and treat infections. The platform’s flexibility helped the provider adapt to different settings, from emergency rooms to clinics. Also, the Sofia 2 platform was easy to integrate and use across various environments.

It helped deliver faster results with 80% reduced diagnostic turnaround time, allowing quicker interventions. The healthcare provider experienced improved accuracy rates, which led to fewer false results, facilitating proper patient management. Moreover, rapid, precise diagnostics meant timely treatments, reducing the impact and spread of infections. Overall, the improved efficiency allowed better resource use and eased the burden on the medical staff.

By utilizing QuidelOrtho’s advanced diagnostic tools, the healthcare provider improved its approach to managing infectious diseases, resulting in better patient care and a healthier community overall. This use case highlights how QuidelOrtho’s solutions empower healthcare providers to deliver top-tier care, making a tangible difference in public health.

The Way Forward

For the rest of 2024 and beyond, QuidelOrtho is focused on bringing forward several key assays that it believes can be game-changers in the industry. The company is expecting the launch of a new respiratory assay that could broaden the placement and accessibility of its molecular diagnostic tools. QuidelOrtho is also prioritizing the launch of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and gastrointestinal (GI) panels. The company sees a substantial opportunity to make a difference and drive growth in these areas.