GLOBAL MARKET NEEDS

Given the current state of biological pathogen testing that involves expensive and bulky equipment requiring Ph.D.-level trained operators, NanoDetection Technology is developing a portable, rapid, sensitive and cost-effective detector that will be the backbone of a distributed surveillance network. This network of detectors (easily operated by farmers or soldiers in the field) could be the first line of defense in battling Avian Influenza, BVD and Mad Cow disease.

State of Biological Pathogen Detection

Traditional detection of infectious disease has involved the culture of the pathogen in a microbiology laboratory. This process is slow (2 to 42 days, or more), expensive, and requires highly skilled personnel. Molecular biology advances made in the past ten years now allow the actual detection of the pathogen’s DNA, or surface proteins (antigen-antibody reactions), that, in turn, enable the rapid detection of multiple pathogens at once. However the detection equipment remains bulky, costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and requires Ph.D.-level trained personnel.

For example, current bioreceptor detection systems often are equipped with photomultipliers or charge-coupled devices (CCDs) that require electronic interface systems or signal amplification devices, adding expense and size. In addition, many detectors employ microarrays (1000-10,000 spots ranging from 50-250μm in diameter). Given their small size and close proximity, microarray technology lends itself to spotting variability and background noise; thus, requiring highly skilled labor and sophisticated equipment to compensate. Because of the trained labor needed and the bulk and expense of current detection systems, much of the testing around the world occurs in centralized testing laboratories.

Currently, the most effective way of managing and limiting the effects of a biological or bioterrorist threat is through early detection at its source, which, unfortunately, rarely is located close to a centralized testing laboratory. In addition, the few field detectors presently offered sacrifice sensitivity for size and, consequently, only can detect very high concentrations, which may not be present in early warning situations.

Data integrity and security also hamper current detection systems, especially in lesser-developed countries such as those in Southeast Asia – the epicenter for influenza mutations and outbreaks. Those using field detectors often are poorly trained in reading and recording data output and may be encouraged to modify test results in light of severe economic losses of a ‘positive’ test.

Avian Flu

Annual economic losses due to an Avian Flu pandemic are estimated to reach $200 billion in the US and $800 billion worldwide. The US Government already has allocated $3.3 billion toward the detection, prevention and vaccine development of the Avian Flu virus. Who is to determine the amount of investment the world is willing to make to avoid a pandemic? By comparison, $100 billion was invested to avoid the effects of Y2K. The most effective way to mitigate the effects of Avian Flu is to set up an early warning system based on in-the-field testing of chickens and other poultry. In the US there are approximately 35,000 poultry farms, raising tens of billions of poultry and generating a $50 billion market annually.

NanoDetection Technology’s Biosensor Detection System is a platform technology and is not rendered obsolete should Avian Flu subside. Once deployed as an early warning detection network, the detector can easily be used to detect the next influenza strain or pathogen catching the world’s attention.

Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) and Mad Cow

BVD is a highly contagious disease that costs US farmers over $3 billion per year. Due in part to lengthy testing times, 80% of the 100+ million US cattle population is exposed to BVD at some point in their lives. Rapid field testing would enable farmers to identify and isolate BVD infected animals for treatment or destruction; thus, saving the majority of the herd from infection. In addition to reducing losses, BVD field testing enables feed lots to qualify as ‘BVD free’ and, thus, command a pricing premium. There are over 200,000 farms with 100+ cattle in the US.

NanoDetection Technology is currently collaborating with the USDA’s National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, to optimize the BVD test conditions and develop quantitative results reporting. Collaboration with the Ames lab is critical to achieve acceptance by the nation’s hundreds of thousands of farmers and the many centralized testing laboratories.