March 26, 2008

Veredus Laboratories releases new bird flu detection chip
 

Singaporean biomedical firm, Veredus Laboratories has released a new bird flu detection chip product into the market following successful trials.

The chip is no bigger than a fingernail, and it is able to detect several bird flu strains within two hours in a single test, according to a Channel NewsAsia report.

Current available tests require multiple testing, which puts the new product in an advantage.

The test can detect bird flu strains at the start of infection, and can diagnose viruses as well as mutations, which would ensure appropriate action could be taken to prevent outbreaks.

The chip can also be modified to detect cancers, infectious diseases and even bio-hazardous material, according to Rosemary Tan, CEO of Veredus Laboratories.

Veredus is currently marketing the new chip to hospitals, airports and border checkpoints, said Tan.

The chip was produced in partnership with European semiconductor company ST Microelectronics. Veredus Laboratories is a medical diagnostics research company while ST Microelectronics is a manufacturer of semiconductor integrated circuits.

The two companies have set up a joint laboratory in Singapore for the development of new biomedical applications based on the new chip technology, said the report.

The chip was initially expected to release at the end of 2006.