Grifols has announced the forthcoming launch of AlphaKit QuickScreen, a novel and efficient point-of-care device that can facilitate the detection of alpha-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiencies.

The kit provides a quick way to screen chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema patients for a unique genetic mutation commonly associated with AAT deficiency, a rare genetic condition that makes patients more susceptible to deadly lung diseases.

“Grifols has introduced its new AlphaKit QuickScreen, a means of testing for the rare and life-threatening condition known as alpha-antitrypsin deficiency.“

It requires only a few drops of blood and is able to detect the presence of the Z protein that is responsible for the vast majority of severe AAT deficiency cases within 15 minutes.

AlphaKit QuickScreen is currently in late-stage development and is scheduled to launch in several European countries in early 2014.

Dr Claus Vogelmeier, professor of internal and respiratory medicine at the hospital of the Universities of Giessen and Marburg, said: "The good news is that for most patients, AAT deficiency can quickly be ruled out during a medical exam - and it only needs to be done once in a patient's life."

Grifols is a leading global healthcare company that serves the bioscience, diagnostic and hospital sectors in more than 90 countries worldwide.