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Prototype diagnostic test detected Ebola in 60 seconds
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A Canadian biotechnology company has developed a prototype diagnostic test that quickly detected Ebola virus antibodies, according to a press release.
“We are very excited about what our research and development team has been able to accomplish in such a short period of time,” Christopher Shackleton, MD, CEO of bioLytical Laboratories, said in the press release.
The company’s pre-clinical prototype is built upon its INSTI rapid test platform, previously used for HIV1/HIV2 diagnosis. Like other INSTI tests, the prototype is able to deliver results in as little as 60 seconds, according to the release.
“There is clearly a pressing need for a diagnostic test that can rapidly and accurately detect the presence of this potentially deadly infection as early as possible and in diverse testing environments,” Shackleton said. “We also believe that the speed of our INSTI platform will offer considerable advantages as compared to slower point-of-care assays when it comes to the screening of large numbers of subjects in the field as well as in those settings where time is a significant constraint such as travel points of entry.”
As of Oct. 25, there have been 4,922 deaths and 10,141 cases of the current Ebola outbreak. It is the deadliest recorded outbreak of the disease in history.
“This test is a significant step forward in the battle to contain the current Ebola epidemic,” Robert Mackie, chairman of bioLytical, said in the press release. “bioLytical is continuing to work with international authorities to ensure that we’re contributing to the containment efforts.”