Laboratories are adapting to new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding hepatitis B immunity testing. On December 19, 2025, Pictor, a leader in targeted proteomics, announced its ViraScreen-Core™ multiplex antibody assay as a solution to meet these evolving public health guidelines. This test, currently utilized by CLIA-certified laboratories, is designed to enhance the assessment of immunity following hepatitis B vaccination.
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has emphasized the importance of post-vaccination antibody testing for hepatitis B. This shift is creating a demand for more effective and comprehensive testing methods. Pictor’s ViraScreen-Core™ assay stands out for its ability to detect multiple antibodies simultaneously, including those for hepatitis B, HIV-1, HIV-2, and hepatitis C, all from a single sample. This capability not only reduces turnaround times but also conserves patient samples, thereby facilitating informed clinical decision-making.
Dr. Jamie Platt, CEO of Pictor, stated, “Antibody testing gives laboratories flexibility as public health guidance evolves. By offering a multiplex assay that works with both serum and saliva, we aim to help labs move toward evidence-based immunity assessment without adding operational complexity.”
The assay’s design incorporates both serum and saliva testing, which may significantly reduce barriers to testing in various settings. This flexibility is particularly beneficial in pediatric and community health environments, where blood draws can be challenging. Pictor’s paired serum and saliva studies demonstrated high concordance, reinforcing the reliability of saliva as a testing matrix.
In a statement, Dr. Andrew Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Sirona Dx, expressed optimism about the new assay’s impact: “Pictor’s ViraScreen-Core™ assay represents a valuable addition to our clinical laboratory. Compatibility with saliva samples expands the environments in which testing can be conducted while the multiplex format supports streamlined, efficient workflows for infectious disease screening.”
Pictor is currently working on raising capital to further commercialize its technology, expand its assay menu, and support deployment across the United States. The company aims to build on the early adoption of its targeted proteomics platform, which is already making strides in the diagnostics field.
The ViraScreen-Core™ assay exemplifies Pictor’s commitment to advancing clinical laboratory capabilities while addressing the pressing need for comprehensive infectious disease screening. With the ongoing challenges posed by hepatitis B and other infectious diseases, innovative solutions like this assay are critical for enhancing public health responses.
For further details on Pictor’s ViraScreen-Core™ assay, visit www.pictordx.com.
