Rapid, Antigen-Based TB Test

A rapid antigen-based diagnostic test for the detection of active tuberculosis (TB) detects TB antigens that indicate active infection in the body and also monitors disease progression.

The test is being developed by Proteome Systems (PXL, North Ryde, NSW Australia), aided by the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND, Geneva, Switzerland). FIND is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Seattle, WA, USA).

TB is the most prevalent infection in the world today. One-third of the world's population is infected, and two million people die of the disease every year. A new study published in the June 2005 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that drug-resistant tuberculosis has intensified and is now reaching new audiences in the developed and developing worlds.

Proteome's test can indicate active infection, monitor disease progression, and also monitor response to treatment in patients with TB regardless of the immune status of the host, including TB patients with HIV co-infections. The test will be an easily administered, point-of-care (POC) system, delivering an accurate result within minutes. The collaboration of Proteome with FIND was announced at the BIO meeting in Philadelphia (PA, USA) in June 2005.

"The Proteome Systems team has used its unique biomarker discovery platform and skills to distinguish TB proteins in infected people,” observed Giorgio Roscigno, CEO of FIND. "These biomarkers pave the way for the TB test FIND has been working to develop.” Unlike current TB diagnostics, the new test would directly detect proteins expressed by the TB causative microbe Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

According to Proteome's CEO, Stephen Porges, the partnership with FIND will provide the critical support to speed the development of the test, in addition to clinical material, assistance with clinical trials, and fast-tracking of registration in return for exclusive royalty-free rights to distribute the product in the public health sector in developing countries.





Related Links:
Proteome Systems
FIND