Partner profile: altona Diagnostics GmbH – Molecular diagnostic tests based on real-time PCR

In 2015 the Zika virus was wreaking havoc in Brazil and the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency. In Hamburg-Altona, reliable test methods were being developed for the virus at that time – and they were successful. In 2016, altona Diagnostics GmbH introduced the world’s first CE-IVD-certified real-time PCR test for the Zika virus onto the market.

The diagnostics company develops and produces in-vitro diagnostic tests for detecting human pathogens like viruses, bacteria or parasites on the basis of DNA. Its competence in tropical medicine – and hence the Zika test solution – did not come from nowhere. That’s because Dr Ulrich Spengler – CEO of altona Diagnostics GmbH – and his partners have extensive experience in molecular diagnostics, especially in infectious diseases, due to their work at the Bernhard-Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine in Hamburg. A perfect symbiosis, since a part of the product portfolio of diagnostic test systems for tropical and novel infectious diseases, developed by altona, was examined for suitability in collaboration with the Bernhard-Nocht Institute.
“Molecular diagnostic tests from altona Diagnostics are based on real-time PCR technology and are offered as kits ready for use,” explains Narin Natschke, head of Logistics. “We have meanwhile over 50 kits with CE labelling that run on various real-time PCR devices,” the distribution expert adds. In addition, altona Diagnostics offers a complete automated workflow solution – from the device platform through nucleic acid extraction chemistry to special software.

Founded over 20 years ago, the Hamburg-based company now employs more than 300 members of staff worldwide. altona Diagnostics sells its registered products to private and clinical laboratories around the globe through its branches and over 40 distribution partners. Especially here, the safety and quality of the products are the top priority. The secure distribution of the products to the customer is particularly key. The medicinal diagnostics company has also been placing its trust in packaging solutions by ECOCOOL for many years. “We use shipping boxes with the inlay plus system which the Bremerhaven company has specially designed and produces for our requirements,” explains Natschke. “For us, our customers are not merely ‘numbers’ on a spreadsheet; we maintain contacts and are always easy for them to reach.” Natschke also expects this from his partners in turn. “That is precisely our maxim,” says Dr Florian Siedenburg. He is pleased that altona Diagnostics also particularly values the personal service that is paramount at ECOCOOL in distribution processes and quality assurance. Narin Natschke continues: “This is how we imagine ideal collaboration – reliable, innovative, solution-oriented and, above all, flexible.”