STMicroelectronics, based out of Geneva, Switzerland, and Veredus Laboratories from Singapore, have announced the launch of their portable influenza detection device. The VereFlu is touted as being the first mobile lab-on-a-chip influenza detector.
Combining STMicroelectronics’ In-Check™ lab-on-chip platform with Veredus’ bio-application capability, VereFlu is the market’s first test which has integrated two powerful molecular biological applications in a lab-on-chip the size of a fingernail. It can identify and differentiate human strains of Influenza A and B viruses, including the Avian Flu strain H5N1, in a single test.
A miniature laboratory on a chip, ST’s In-Check platform allows users to accurately and reliably process and analyze minute patient samples – human blood, serum or respiratory swabs – on a single disposable thumbnail-sized chip. This approach reduces the time and complexity, as well as the risk of cross-contamination inherent in conventional analysis methods.
Press release: STMicroelectronics and Veredus Laboratories Launch Market’s First Lab-on-Chip for Rapid Molecular Flu Detection at Point of Need