VIRASENS

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) funded project ‘VIRASENS’ has enabled the development of a rapid diagnostic testing device for Flu A/B and RSV, based upon a surface acoustic wave (SAW) biosensor. There is a need for accurate, rapid, simple, low-cost, point-of-care (POC) tests for respiratory viruses. The gold standard test is polymerase chain reaction (PCR), but it can’t be done at the patient bedside; the sample has to be sent to a lab, which may mean a significant delay in getting a diagnosis. A rapid test, carried out at the patients bedside would significantly improve the speed of treatment decisions and therapeutic outcomes, ultimately reducing costs.
The prototype developed was used to detect Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza A and Influenza B in clinical samples collected by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) laboratory.
Detection of Flu A/B and RSV was possible within 10 minutes, using a simple protocol. Results compared favorably with the laboratory based PCR method.
Project leader Orla Protein Technologies Ltd formed a joint venture company with leading electronics company Japan Radio Company (JRC) during the course of the VIRASENS project. OJ-Bio Ltd (www.oj-bio.com) based in Newcastle is leading the commercial exploitation of POC devices for a range of targets. OJ-Bio is now seeking partners and investors to take the platform to the next stage of development.