Delayed solid phase immunologic assay

A method for the determination of a substance present in a sample, which comprises: (a) contacting a sample containing a substance with: (i) a first immunological binding partner to the substance, wherein the first immunological binding partner is bound to biotin or a biotin-binding protein,(ii) a second immunological binding partner to the substance, wherein the second immunological binding partner is detectably labeled, and(iii) a biotin binding protein or biotin bound to a carrier;(b) incubating the components of step (a) for a period of time and under conditions sufficient to form an immune complex between the substance, the first immunological binding partner, the second immunological binding partner, and the carrier;(c) separating the carrier from the sample; and(d) determining the detectably labeled second immunological binding partner in either the sample or the carrier; wherein the reaction between the first immunological binding partner and the carrier occurs after, or substantially contemporaneously with, formation of an immune complex between the first immunological binding partner and the substance.