The company behind a Dunedin-developed device hailed as a potential life-saver in the battle against Ebola is seeking clearance so it can be used to diagnose Zika.
Ubiquitome last week announced the launch of a crowdfunding campaign in the hopes of accelerating the manufacture of a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved molecular diagnostic test for Zika before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August.
The campaign comes amid concern from some athletes about the rates of Zika in Brazil before the games, during which more than 500,000 people from around the world are expected to visit.
Ubiquitome chief executive Paul Pickering said the test could help prevent the spread of the disease.
‘‘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.
‘‘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 [FDA],'' Dr Pickering said.
Dr Pickering said the test could be used at existing laboratories, but the company ultimately wanted it to be used with a handheld device developed by the University of Otago.
The device, called Freedom4, enabled rapid field deployment of gold standard molecular tests.
Ubiquitome had already pioneered mobile molecular testing to detect pathogens like Zika, partnering with IDT and Batelle to develop a test for the Ebola virus last year.
‘‘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..''
In February, the World Health Organisation declared the Zika virus a public health emergency.
The mosquito-born virus has been linked with an increase in cases of microcephaly, which causes babies to be born with unusually small heads.
The crowd-funding campaign on Indiegogo has so far raised $US1015 ($NZ1519).
Anyone wishing to give can visit: www.indiegogo.com/projects/racing-to-make-a-zika-test-available/
