News

Shimadzu Techno-Research, Inc. (STR，Kyoto, Japan), a contract analysis company and subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation, has launched a new contract service to perform PCR testing for expanded newborn mass screening (hereinafter referred to as “this service”). Diseases that can be tested for possible morbidity with this service include severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), B-cell deficiency (BCD), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).. Each of these diseases is a “rare disease” that affects only one in several tens of thousands of people, but when it does occur, it causes serious symptoms, so it is important to detect it before it develops and begin treatment through testing immediately after birth. STR will contribute to the health of newborns by providing this service to hospitals and delivery facilities.

Newborn mass screening tests are used to determine the likelihood of developing certain diseases and provide opportunities for effective medication and treatment. As of January 2024, newborns are mass-screened for SCID, BCD, and SMA in 40 of 47 prefectures in Japan, and mass screening for the diseases has yet to be extended to all newborns in Japan. Efforts are currently underway to address this issue, including the Children and Families Agency’s plans to commence demonstration projects aimed at delivering publicly funded testing to all newborns.

Since June 2020, STR has tested over 40,000 people while serving as a PCR testing facility for SARS-CoV-2 and helped to stem the spread of infectious diseases. STR also uses its expertise as a clinical testing facility to assist with legal and regulatory compliance when products and technology developed by Shimadzu Group are introduced to the clinical fields. Following this contract service for SCID, BCD, and SMA, STR plans to launch another service to test for congenital metabolic disorders included in newborn mass screening using liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometers made by Shimadzu Corporation. All Shimadzu Group companies are fully committed to expediting the commercialization of new products and technologies and improving newborn health and healthy life expectancy.

Testing equipment in health inspection center used to perform expanded newborn mass screening

Contract testing at Shimadzu Techno-Research