- In May 2022, Abbott announced the launch of HBsAg Next Assay in India for early detection of Hepatitis B. The HBsAg Next Qualitative Assay identifies HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in human serum and plasma, making it a sophisticated, next-generation assay for earlier detection of HBV. It also overcomes typical obstacles by demonstrating the greatest level of assay performance needed to detect infection in immunocompromised individuals.