Kiwi biotech firm seeking first in approved Zika virus test

Kiwi biotech firm seeking world first in approved Zika virus test

Ubiquitome launches crowdfunding campaign to secure FDA authorisation of Zika diagnostic test.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, March 24, 2016 -- Ubiquitome today announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign on the Indiegogo platform to accelerate the making/manufacture of an FDA-authorised Zika molecular diagnostic test before the Rio Olympics, when over 500,000 people from around the world will visit Brazil, a major source of Zika infections.

“As organisations like the World Health Organization have pointed out, Zika represents a significant threat, particularly to those attending the Rio Olympics in Brazil in August,” says Dr Paul Pickering, CEO of Auckland-based biotech firm Ubiquitome.

“Others are racing to produce a diagnostic test for Zika, but we believe people will want the confidence of a test authorised by a respected body like the US Federal Drug Administration.

“Our desire is to reduce the potential impact of Zika by making a diagnostic test widely available. By knowing whether or not they have contracted the virus, people can get treatment and minimise the risk of infecting others.”

Dr Pickering said Ubiquitome was seeking funding to accelerate the process of securing FDA authorisation for a Zika diagnostic test that would be available from existing laboratories, but ultimately wanted to make this testing available in the field using Ubiquitome’s Freedom4 device, a handheld, battery-powered device that enables rapid field deployment of gold standard molecular tests.

Ubiquitome have already pioneered mobile molecular testing to detect pathogens like Zika, partnering with IDT andBatelle to develop a test for the Ebola virus in 2015.

“Ultimately our vision is point-of-care diagnostic testing to help stop disease transmission, especially in remote locations, and to facilitate improved patient outcomes.

“Our Freedom4 device eliminates the need for sample preservation and transportation to a laboratory-based testing facility, enabling it to brought to remote locations for use during time-sensitive, public health situations,” says Dr Pickering.

The Zika virus is a disease spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realise they have been infected. Outbreaks of Zika have been linked with autoimmune disease Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and an increase in babies born with microcephaly.

In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil and on Feb 1, 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika virus a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). Local transmission has been reported in many other countries and territories. Zika virus likely will continue to spread to new areas.

Ubiquitome’s Indiegogo campaign is available at www.indiegogo.com/projects/racing-to-make-a-zika-test-available/

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