Hepatitis B and C are among the most common viral infections in the world. About 325 million people worldwide (per a 2015 study) are carriers of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) or Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infections. Hepatitis B and C can remain asymptomatic for decades1,2, and therefore without Hepatitis diagnostics or lab testing, it can be exceptionally challenging to determine an early diagnosis.
Every day, over 3,000 people die from the consequences of viral Hepatitis – over a million people every year3. Furthermore, each year, 1.75 million people newly acquire HCV infection. The disease caused 1.34 million deaths in 2015, a number comparable to annual deaths caused by tuberculosis and higher than those caused by HIV2.
In 2016, the World Health Assembly adopted the World Health Organization's (WHO’s) first “Global Health Sector Strategy on viral Hepatitis” with elimination as its overarching vision.
Vision:
A world where viral Hepatitis transmission is halted and everyone living with viral Hepatitis has access to safe, affordable and effective prevention, care and treatment services.
Goal:
Eliminate viral Hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030 through improved Hepatitis laboratory testing.
Targets (between 2016 and 2030):
Roche is committed to fighting viral Hepatitis, offering a complete continuum of care for the laboratory diagnosis of Hepatitis. This starts with a focus on serology-based testing for screening and diagnosis followed by PCR testing for confirmation and genotyping (only HCV) and viral load monitoring to determine patient response to treatment.
Several laboratory tests can be conducted in cases of known or suspected Hepatitis. Lab diagnosis of Hepatitis may fall into one or more of the following categories:
General chemistry tests used to detect liver inflammation and/or damage
Screening tests used to detect viral Hepatitis; for example, screening for exposure to Hepatitis B or C may be done because of increased risk of the disease or at the time of blood donation
Tests to help diagnose the underlying cause
Follow-up Hepatitis lab tests used to monitor the progression of Hepatitis
Roche can support you through the entire process with our Hepatitis solutions. Depending on the form of Hepatitis diagnostics, we have innovative solutions to suit your needs.
Roche offers innovative, dual-probe HCV and HBV viral load testing for our cobas® 4800 and cobas® 5800/6800/8800 Systems. Through effective DNA detection and viral load measurement, we can improve Hepatitis diagnostics at a considerable level.
By utilising robust, clinically relevant assay performance, we are able to deliver optimal laboratory diagnosis of Hepatitis. It is because of this that we here at Roche continue to be at the forefront of viral load monitoring and laboratory diagnostics.
Benefit from accurate quantification and effective detection to ensure precise results, allowing laboratories to meet the highly sensitive requirements for both current and future Hepatitis therapies.
To advance global efforts and combat viral Hepatitis, Roche stands alongside the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and Duke Health to participate in a unique and innovative partnership; the Quick-Start programme.
The ground-breaking programme underscores Roche’s ongoing commitment to provide life-saving Hepatitis diagnostics, and supports the governments of Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Vietnam, aiming to cure 25,000 people of HCV within the next two years.
To attain this goal, the Quick-Start programme will focus on establishing successful treatment programs, significantly reducing the costs of diagnosing Hepatitis and accelerating access to treatment. Roche is a leader in viral load testing and is committed to enabling improved patient management by delivering innovative, high-quality Hepatitis diagnostic products where they are needed most.
