Assay Technology
Pantex assay technologies include Radioimmunoassay (RIA) using a double antibody format, Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA), and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) in microplate formats.

These assays are based on a "homologous" assay principle whereby the steroid immunogen used to produce an antibody and the enzyme or iodinated steroid hapten used as a label are conjugated on corresponding positions of the steroid molecule.

Organic Synthesis
Organic synthesis at Pantex is performed by highly trained, Ph.D.-level chemists either at the Pantex facility in Santa Monica, California, or by chemists under contract to Pantex. Our primary focus at Pantex is on the synthesis of derivatives of small molecules such as steroid haptens. These custom synthesized haptens are conjugated on specific chemical bridges to carrier proteins for specific antibody production or to an enzyme or radioactive iodine for use as essential components of immunoassay products.

Antiserum Development
Pantex maintains a state-of-the-art animal facility for the production of specific antibodies against steroid hormones and other small molecules. The facility is fully licensed and approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Antisera produced at Pantex are stringently screened against all known potentially cross-reacting steroids or other related small molecules then assay tested, with patient samples by EIA. Only antisera that are useful in immunoassays are released for market.