Singapore based Veredus Laboratories announced the launch of its VereMTB multiplexed lab-on-a-chip for the detection of various mutations of mycobacterium responsible for causing tuberculosis as well as nine other similar clinically interesting mycobacterium. The chip identifies the specific mycobacterium within three hours after being presented with a sample of coughed up direct sputum.
The technology doesn’t require culturing the bacteria, a slow process that can extend into days when rapid detection is key.
From the announcement:
Based on STMicroelectronics’ industry-proven Lab-on-Chip technology, the VereMTB chip is currently undergoing evaluations by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Beijing, China as part of their ongoing program to assess new technologies for TB diagnostics. According to the 2012 World Health Organization report on TB, India and China combined have almost 40 percent of the world’s TB cases, and nearly 60% of multi-drug resistant cases in 2011 were in India, China, and the Russian Federation.
“At the main CDC National TB Reference Lab in Beijing, we have been evaluating VereMTB using samples, collected from across China with a special interest in detecting challenging multi-drug resistant strains that are difficult to detect using other methods,” said Professor Zhao Yanlin Director of National TB Reference Laboratory and Vice Director of the National Center for Tuberculosis Control and Prevention at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “The speed, accuracy and comprehensiveness of the results have been
very promising. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Veredus for new breakthroughs in diagnosing TB.”
Product page: VereMTB…