{"id":55768,"date":"2015-03-25T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-03-25T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=173c0dc4631ab2b0cf5b4aef987ffc0b"},"modified":"2015-03-25T10:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-03-25T10:00:00","slug":"press-release-ebola-1-million-grant-to-develop-in-the-field-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=55768","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Ebola: \u00a31 million grant to develop \u2018in the field\u2019 test"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Public Health England (PHE<\/abbr>) scientists are heading a consortium researching a rapid \u2018in the field\u2019 Ebola test, following the successful award of Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI<\/abbr>) funding.<\/p>\n

The IMI<\/abbr>, through its Ebola+ programme, will fund PHE<\/abbr> with a \u00a31 million grant to coordinate a consortium, called MOF\u00cdNA, of European public and private sector scientists to develop and validate a new test for Ebola, which it is hoped will let medical workers diagnose patients on site.<\/p>\n

The research team aims to develop and validate a molecular point of care (POC) system suitable for safe, specific and sensitive detection of Ebola virus infection within the field. The system is based on the existing CE-marked assay marketed by altona and an integrated molecular diagnostic platform from Alere Inc. This molecular point of care system will detect the genetic material of Ebola viruses at a sensitivity and specificity comparable with test systems performed at central laboratories.<\/p>\n

Professor Miles Carroll, Head of Research, Microbiology Services for PHE<\/abbr>, said:<\/p>\n

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If our research is successful, it could be possible to diagnose a suspected case on site in 30 to 40 minutes, which will dramatically decrease mortality rates.<\/p>\n

Patients will be treated faster leading to a greater chance of their survival. It will also help medical staff stop the spread of infection and ultimately bring outbreaks to an end.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies said: <\/p>\n

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A rapid diagnostic test has the potential to reduce the devastating effects of Ebola that have affected West Africa during the recent outbreak. This is a fantastic opportunity for Public Health England to significantly improve how we treat Ebola patients and ultimately stop the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Dr Seshadri Vasan, PHE<\/abbr>\u2019s business lead for the project, said:<\/p>\n

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There is a need for rapid, accurate Ebola tests that can be used on site. We\u2019re aiming to develop a test that can be administered safely and used in locations where laboratories are unavailable.<\/p>\n

Our Public Health England scientists are on the front lines in West Africa, working with academic and private sector partners from around the world to develop therapeutic and diagnostic options for Ebola.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Background<\/h2>\n
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  1. \n

    This grant has been awarded to PHE<\/abbr> scientist Professor Miles Carroll, Head of Research, Microbiology Services for PHE<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Our partners are Altona Diagnostics GmbH, Alere Inc., Benhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNI), INMI L. Spallanzani IRCCD and FIND Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics. Alere Inc. and FIND are not eligible for direct EU funding under this grant scheme, but Alere Inc. is contributing through the cost of the assay development program, and FIND are contributing 1.3m euros.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Research will involve testing blood samples combining Hamburg based altona Diagnostics\u2019 Pan-filo screening IVD test with the existing Alere\u2122 q POC molecular diagnostics platform of Alere Inc.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \nPHE<\/abbr> is also collaborating on 2 other initiatives to develop Ebola diagnostics:<\/p>\n