ADLM Chicago: Rare Disease, Alpha-gal, Decoding Docs and Sweat Tests

Chicago, Chicago, helluva town. Lone star ticks. Sweat tests for drugs of abuse, Drawer-dropping PCR samples! And an attempt to get into the mind of doctors, brought to you by a top IVD company. What makes them order tests? Once again #ADLM2025 is in Chicago and the largest laboratory pro meeting in the U.S. will focus on diagnostics and lab automation, education, new products, booth expresso and long strolls through that "tiny" McCormick convention center.

What to see there? A few goodies have come across our desk:

Rare Diseases Gets Plenary Focus

There are over 7,000 known rare diseases, which collectively affect a significant portion of the population. Labs can help them, since discovery is the first problem.

While each rare disease individually impacts a small population, there are over 7,000 known rare diseases, which collectively affect a significant portion of the population.

Rare diseases will take center stage at ADLM in plenary sessions, with Dr. Heidi L. Rehm (Massachusetts General Hospital) presenting genomic strategies for identifying new rare disease causes and global data‑sharing methods . Although individual rare diseases affect small patient numbers, there are thousands known—collectively impacting over 30 million Americans. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and broader genomics tools are key for diagnosing rare conditions.

“Drop-It-in-the-Drawer” PCR System to Be Unveiled

Seegene Inc. is telling us they've done it. No joking. Put it in a drawer and walk away. PCR testing at high volume done. They will introduce their CURECA system at ADLM 2025. CURECA stands for Continuous Unlimited Random-access Expandable and Customizable full Automation. It automates the full PCR diagnostic process, including sample prep, nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and result analysis. "Users simply load patient samples into a drawer, and CURECA handles the rest." the company's email says. Labs load samples such as blood, urine, stool, or sputum. The system identifies the specimen, prepares it, runs PCR, and delivers results.

"CURECA isn’t just another PCR plus liquid handler." Seegene tells us. "It’s a futuristic next-gen approach."

Worth a check out.

Alpha-gal and Food Testing

Alpha-gal allergy is gaining attention due to its delayed onset and rising incidence, particularly in regions with high tick exposure. As of a 2023 CDC report, more than 110,000 suspected cases of AGS had been identified in the U.S. between 2010 and 2022. AGS is a reaction to red meat and other products derived from mammals. It is triggered by exposure to a sugar molecule called galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), which is introduced into the body through the bite of certain ticks—most notably the Lone Star tick in the United States. Unlike typical food allergies, reactions to alpha-gal often occur three to six hours after consuming beef, pork, lamb, or related products. Symptoms can range from hives, gastrointestinal distress, and swelling to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Diagnosis involves a thorough clinical history along with a blood test to detect IgE antibodies specific to alpha-gal.

An ADLM 2025 session will highlight how labs can use advanced testing to improve diagnosis, guide dietary recommendations, and reduce unnecessary food avoidance.

Sweat-Based Screening for Drugs of Abuse

A recent pharmacokinetic presented by Intelligent Bio Solutions, will show how non-invasive fingerprint sweat specimens reliably reflected codeine levels in blood and saliva—opening doors to biohazard‑free and convenient drug testing alternatives. Unlike blood draws or saliva collection, fingerprint sampling is biohazard-free, requires minimal training, and delivers results in a matter of minutes. The findings could have wide applications in workplace testing, rehabilitation programs, roadside screening, and even clinical settings—offering a significant leap forward in drug monitoring

Data Reveal: New Siemens Healthineers Research on Physician Decision-Making

ADLM often has sessions on understanding physician decision making around test. Around ordering and using. This year, hard data. Siemens Healthineers will present new research on how physicians make test ordering decisions while balancing clinical guidelines, personal experience, and patient expectations. The study explores how systemic friction and rising patient demands shape diagnostic workflows.

You only think you know how doctors use tests

Findings will be shared at a press conference on Tuesday, July 29, at 9:00 a.m. in Room S102a. Speakers include Dirk Heckel, PhD; Zobair Younossi, MD, MPH; and Nikola Baumann, PhD, DABCC.

New ADLM Guidance on Emergency Department Toxicology Testing

Updated guidance reflects changes in drug use patterns, the rise of synthetic opioids, and increasing demands for faster triage decisions in overstretched ERs. Participants will discuss best practices for aligning lab services with clinical needs in acute settings, including when to use immunoassays versus confirmatory testing. The session is timely, as emergency physicians rely heavily on lab data to differentiate overdose, drug interactions, and medical mimics—often within minutes. The guidance aims to reduce unnecessary testing while ensuring that critical substances are detected reliably.

Roche On Cervical-Cancer Screening

A time of change is underway, with new genomic tools and at-home cervical-cancer testing moving closer to routine practice following recent FDA actions. In this Roche-sponsored workshop, experts will examine the latest advances in cervical-cancer screening and diagnosis, including HPV self-collection, extended genotyping, and evolving ASCCP/USPSTF guidelines. The session will explore how these technologies are reshaping access and clinical outcomes across diverse populations, and what lies ahead in this fast-moving field.

Werfen’s Next‑Generation Hemostasis System (ACL TOP 70 Series)

Werfen will tout its ACL TOP 70 Series as the next-gen hemostasis platform, built for streamlined QC and performance verification. With centralized quality control and automated checks, it reduces manual steps and transcription errors, while improving network-wide data consistency. The system supports lab connectivity and coordinated oversight across multiple instruments.

DCN Dx Showcases End-to-End Lateral Flow Development and Regulatory Services

DCN Dx will present its integrated support for lateral flow diagnostics at ADLM 2025, offering services from assay development to regulatory consulting and clinical trials. Positioned as a combined CDMO-CRO, the company emphasizes speed to market and regulatory alignment for point-of-care IVD developers.

QuidelOrtho Promotes Six Sigma Tools for Lab Quality Improvement

A few defects per million occurrences is a pretty good goal when patients and the bottom line is at issue, and thus Six Sigma metrics of measuring when those defects occur and why is becoming more popular in the laboratory as it has been in corporate manufacturing. QuidelOrtho will lead a featured session at ADLM 2025 focused on using "Six Sigma metrics" to enhance lab performance. The panel will include clinical experts discussing real-world applications of the company’s quality tools to support better decision-making in clinical laboratories.

5 Minutes: Orange Biomed Introduces Rapid Microfluidic HbA1c Testing Platform

Orange Biomed will present a poster at ADLM 2025 showcasing a new microfluidics-based HbA1c testing method. The five-minute test analyzes thousands of red blood cells from a single drop of blood, aiming to expand access to diabetes care and set the stage for broader chronic condition diagnostics using portable, multiplexed platforms.

Bringing The Big Guns: NGS at ADLM2025

Several exhibitors at ADLM are showcasing NGS-enabled solutions for rare disease and oncology diagnostics. For example, BioVendor’s MDx arm will highlight NGS assays for BCR::ABL1 fusion detection, MSI analysis, and clinical exome profiling—all directly relevant to rare disease mutation detection. Another exhibitor, ViennaLab, features NGS panels for microbiome and exome sequencing, indicating broad use in identifying rare and complex disorders. These platforms bridge lab automation (like CURECA) and IVD innovation by integrating sequencing workflows into routine laboratory testing.

Virus or Bacteria? Fingerstick Test

MeMed will announce a development update on its next-generation MeMed BV Flex test, a host-response diagnostic designed for CLIA-waived settings. The test uses a simple finger prick to distinguish between bacterial and viral infections from just a few drops of capillary blood, delivering results in 15 minutes. It is the first test of its kind aimed at decentralized care environments such as community clinics, urgent care centers, and nursing homes. By enabling rapid, lab-quality decisions outside the hospital, it holds potential to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and improve comfort for patients, especially children and older adults.

Advanced Myeloma Monitoring

Diazyme will exhibit at ADLM 2025 with several products on display, including assays for kappa and lambda free light chains to aid in multiple myeloma monitoring—offering 10-minute results with no need for pre-dilution or standalone systems. Its gastro-health panel includes calprotectin, lactoferrin, and pancreatic elastase, all run from a single extracted sample with fast turnaround. The cardiovascular panel features oxLDL, OxPL apoB, and PLAC® assays targeting different stages of lipid oxidation and inflammation, compatible with major analyzers including Diazyme’s DZ-Lite. Also featured is the EZ Vitamin D assay, which detects both D2 and D3 with no pre-treatment, no biotin interference, and just 3 µL of sample.

Emerging Technologies for Remote Monitoring and Micro-Sampling

Minimally invasive sampling like a finger or heel prick, makes diagnostics safer and less stressful for children and caregivers. Chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, infectious disease, or cancer) increasingly relies on patient self-monitoring. Small-volume sampling enables at-home testing and reduces the need for in-clinic visits. This will be a session topic at ADLM 2025. Microvolume samples can be analyzed on portable diagnostic platforms, including lateral flow devices, portable PCR systems, or wearable biosensors, offering rapid results at or near the point of care.

Super Brush Highlights Custom Foam Swabs for Diagnostics

Diagnostics requires a better than average brush. Springfield, MA-based Super Brush LLC will showcase its U.S.-made lint-free foam swabs at ADLM 2025, emphasizing their use in diagnostic test kits, device assembly, and lab cleaning.

When the diagnosis is done, one thing is sure: you've got to clean up.

With over 3,000 standard designs and ISO 13485 certification, the company offers tailored solutions for medical and laboratory environments through in-house manufacturing. Super Brush offers over 3,000 durable, lint-free foam swab solutions.