Beckman Coulter Diagnostics | Beckman Coulter, which is part of Danaher and known for leading in global clinical diagnostics innovation, has launched the first fully automated Brain-derived Tau (BD-Tau) research use only immunoassay. This new test is now available on the company’s DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer and Access 2 Analyzer, adding to its expanding range of assays aimed at neurodegenerative disease research. The platform includes other important markers such as p-Tau217, NfL, GFAP, and APOE ε4, giving researchers access to tools that help bring precision medicine research into practice on clinical-grade systems.
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BD-Tau is a specific form of the tau protein produced in the brain and is becoming one of the most promising blood-based biomarkers for studies into neurodegeneration. Research across various groups has shown a strong link between plasma BD-Tau and cerebrospinal fluid total tau. This connection becomes even stronger when both amyloid-β and tau tangle issues are present. Unlike total tau or phosphorylated tau, BD-Tau offers better specificity because it directly measures the short form of brain-derived tau found in the blood. By reducing interference from tau sources in the body, it offers a clearer view of changes in the central nervous system. This places BD-Tau as a more accurate and accessible marker for neurodegeneration compared to previous tau indicators.
Dr. Christopher Bird, Chief Medical Officer of Beckman Coulter Diagnostics and Vice President of Medical Excellence and Disease Leadership at Danaher’s Diagnostics business, said the launch of this assay gives researchers an important tool to measure tau protein that originates in the brain. According to Dr. Bird, being able to measure BD-Tau in this way allows deeper investigation into disease mechanisms and could ultimately reshape the way we approach neurodegenerative disorders. He noted that having access to such a marker has the potential to change how we diagnose these conditions, support timely treatment options, and improve how we assess both disease progression and how well treatments work.
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Studies show that plasma BD-Tau closely matches amyloid-β pathology throughout the different stages of Alzheimer’s disease. People who test positive for amyloid often have higher BD-Tau levels than those who test negative, suggesting its potential as a biomarker even in the very early stages of Alzheimer’s research. Higher BD-Tau levels have also been linked to future brain shrinkage and cognitive decline, indicating that it can track both the current disease burden and ongoing progression. When used together with phosphorylated tau, BD-Tau could strengthen the study of the amyloid and neurodegeneration framework, offering chances for more refined study groups and personalized approaches. So far, findings show that BD-Tau elevation is linked to Alzheimer’s disease, while it remains unchanged in other dementias like frontotemporal dementia. Its unique features also make it a candidate for research into stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other tau-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Nick Culshaw, Vice President of Clinical Chemistry Immunoassay Innovation, Product and Program Management at Beckman Coulter Diagnostics, explained that the fully automated, high-throughput BD-Tau assay is not only scientifically valuable but also improves workflow efficiency. He highlighted that automation reduces manual steps, saving time for research teams. By running studies on a high-throughput diagnostic platform like the DxI 9000 analyzer, researchers can achieve consistency over long-term clinical trials, speed up regulatory progress, and generate reliable data that supports real-world evidence. In addition, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics also announced the development of an Aβ-42 research use only immunoassay test for the DxI 9000 and Access 2 analyzers. Aβ-42 is widely seen as a key biomarker in Alzheimer’s research and plays an important role in understanding the early stages and progression of the disease.
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