bioMérieux announces CE-marking of the new MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identification system: VITEK® MS PRIME

Rapid microorganism identification is a pivotal step in the microbiology workflow. Over the past decade, MALDI-TOF¹ mass spectrometry has transformed this process, providing critical information rapidly to clinicians in order to prescribe more effective antimicrobial therapy.

Including time-saving innovations to deliver faster identification results, VITEK® MS PRIME is a compact benchtop system designed to increase laboratory productivity for greater impact to patient care.

François Lacoste, Executive Vice President R&D, shared: “We had extensive input directly from labs as we developed VITEK® MS PRIME. The system incorporates numerous innovative features to make lab life easier, including improved automation and serviceability, with a robust database that is consistently expanding with new emerging pathogens and clinically relevant species. It integrates seamlessly with VITEK® 2 for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and MYLA® middleware for data integration and insights.”

“We are really pleased to bring this unique system to labs during the Covid-19 pandemic, when their needs for optimal workflow and efficiency are greater than ever,” said Pierre Boulud, Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Operations, “VITEK® MS PRIME is a powerful innovation that reinforces our offer to support antimicrobial stewardship. Unique features like prioritization of urgent samples and continuous ‘load and go’ allow for greater efficiency and improved outcomes, which are also key in the fight against antimicrobial resistance”.

With 700,0002 deaths worldwide annually, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health priority. Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS), a key part of the arsenal to fight resistance, starts with diagnostics. VITEK® MS PRIME positively impacts stewardship programs by providing even faster, highly accurate pathogen identification  making excellent use of the large database of clinically relevant species to support earlier, targeted therapy.

VITEK® MS PRIME, manufactured by bioMérieux is a result of our constant commitment to support laboratories with tools that provide increased AMS efficiency and more effective patient therapy.

The commercial launch of VITEK® MS PRIME is planned in selected European and Asian markets in the second half of 2021, extending to the rest of the world throughout 2022.

ABOUT VITEK® MS PRIME AND MALDI-TOF

VITEK^® MS PRIME is a new generation of the VITEK® MS system, launched in 2011 for microorganism identification. VITEK® MS PRIME is a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS). The device analyzes material from microbial cultures to provide microorganism identification. Samples are submitted to multiple laser shots inside VITEK® MS PRIME. The matrix absorbs the laser light and vaporizes, along with the sample, in the process gaining an electrical charge (ionization). Electric fields then guide the ions into a vacuum tube which separates them according to their weight, with the smaller molecules rising up the column faster than the larger molecules. This “time of flight” creates a series of peaks, which correspond with the different molecules contained in the organism from the sample. All of these peaks create spectra unique to that microorganism. By comparing the spectra to a vast comprehensive library owned by bioMérieux, the precise microorganism can be identified quickly and easily. VITEK® MS PRIME has been designed to incorporate additional benefits to further enhance the use of the MALDI-TOF technology.

ABOUT BIOMÉRIEUX'S COMPLETE ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP (AMS) SOLUTION

One of bioMérieux’s healthcare mission is to help sustain the use of antibiotic efficiency for generations to come. To support hospitals, institutions and laboratories with their AMS programs, bioMérieux has a complete solution covering antibiotic therapy initiation, optimization and discontinuation. This constantly evolving offer provides labs with timely, accurate results to adjust therapy, transforms data into actionable insights and integrates smoothly into any hospital with its flexible partnership approach. bioMérieux has over 55 years of microbiology expertise with more than 75% of its R&D directed to AMR/AMS research to ensure the current offer evolves to meet customers’ AMS needs. 

<sub>1. MALDI-TOF: Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight
2. Tackling drug-resistant infections globally: the review on antimicrobial resistance chaired by Jim O'Neill 2016</sub>