NZ Leading the World in Rapid Point of Care Science

Media Statement
July 5, 2013
For immediate Release

New Zealand Leading the World with New Science for Rapid Point of Care Diagnostics

New Zealand company BioTest Diagnostics has announced it is collaborating with UK company AgPlus to bring immediate Point of Care Testing benefits to the veterinary market.

BioTest Diagnostics, a biomarker research company and AgPlus, a diagnostics development company, are revolutionising Point of Care Testing in animals, through the delivery of quantitative diagnostic results in minutes, which will be done at the user’s side. Currently these take hours, if not days, to receive from laboratory based testing.

The collaboration has produced a point of care test for canine progesterone, which is expected to be validated by September 2013.

BioTest executive chairman Richard Wood said “canine progesterone
was identified as a potential early to market test that could, once validated, showcase the benefits of rapid diagnostics across a variety of application areas where BioTest have interests.”

“Success with progesterone will give us the confidence and credibility to investigate more complex diseases in both veterinary and medical fields,” said Mr Wood.

By utilising the unique handheld AgPlus analytical technology, this powerful quantitative test will allow breeders and veterinary practitioners to monitor breeding cycles closely on site in order to increase the likelihood of successful fertilisation.

AgPlus Diagnostics chief executive Keith Page, who is based in Bedfordshire, UK, said BioTest was the first customer to recognise very early on the potential of its handheld diagnostics platform.

Click to watch video interview: http://www.vimeo.com/mediavideos/game-changer-in-point-of-care-diagnostics

“We’ve been working with BioTest on the development of the canine progesterone assay for about two years and have it optimised now for validation in the field.

“We have a worldwide multi-patent to our technology, which has really changed the way that diagnostic tests can be performed. BioTest has seen the benefits and potential applications, initially for canine progesterone, in developing assays that can be used on the AgPlus technology to provide diagnostic results in minutes.”

Mr Page has already met with vets in New Zealand to show them the technology.

“We’ve met with vets throughout New Zealand and given them the opportunity to see what we can do. The look on people’s faces was complete joy and they were excited about other tests, which could be developed. So they realise how much of a game changer this will be.”

Mr Wood said BioTest is already getting interest from veterinary groups in the U.K. and China, “these are exciting times”.

BioTest has contracted business partners Hopkirk Research Institute NZ, AgResearch NZ and Gribbles Veterinary in New Zealand and Australia and Callaghan Industrial Research. BioTest has received an MSI Callaghan Innovation grant for research and development into progesterone testing.

Gribbles Veterinary’s group general manager Kevin Darling said the first stage of validation was to demonstrate repeatability and accuracy.

“Once this is completed, we will then give vets access to Biotest branded AgPlus readers and chips so they can test the technology themselves.”

“While point of care testing will never replace the laboratory, for certain tests this is a game changer,” Mr Darling said.

Three Hawke’s Bay businessmen Mike Seawright, Vaughn Williams and Wood own over 60% of BioTest Diagnostics with the balance made up of New Zealand and Australian investors. BioTest has the worldwide sales and distribution rights for any of their biological I.P. they put onto the AgPlus platform.

Managing director Mike Seawright B.Ag.Sc M.Sc. has extensive experience in nano science technology. He is co coordinating the entities behind the science and innovation and working with them to develop I.P tests to be used on the Ag Plus platform.

“Nano Science is an ongoing and ever changing challenge, but in this instance after many years of research everything is coming together. We are involved in world first technology.”

BioTest has defined intellectual property rights on the biological reagents for each diagnostic test the company develops with AgPlus.

The AgPlus analytical platform utilises electrochemical immunoassay technology in a patented microfluidic chip format. The unique signalling and measurement system allows extremely sensitive, accurate and quantifiable results to be obtained from a very small sample volume (50µl), in under 10 minutes, using a battery-powered, handheld reader.

As the AgPlus platform is battery powered, lightweight and fully portable, it is affordable and flexible enough to have numerous systems located wherever they are required, increasing the availability of quantitative results at the point of care. This is a significant benefit over traditional laboratory testing which takes up to 24 hours to produce a result.

For more information on Biotest Diagnostics please go to www.biotestdiagnostics.com

AgPlus
AgPlus Diagnostics was formed in 2011 to develop and market the patented AgPlus microfluidic chip and reader technology for use in multiple market sectors. They have the exclusive world-wide licence to further develop and commercialise the core technology that originally developed at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The company has private investment from the shareholders which include NPL Management Limited, Serco Group, Keith Page and the company’s chairman Mr Martin Lamaison.

AgPlus technology is making rapid, accurate, cost effective diagnostic testing – without the need for laboratory facilities – a reality in the areas of human health when used by professionals in hospitals, clinics, GP surgeries, pharmacies, as well as by patients in at-home testing/monitoring, for remote location testing (for example in areas of military conflict or expedition) and athlete testing. Additional market application areas include animal health and environmental testing.

Gribbles Veterinary - which has secured exclusive Australasian distribution rights for progesterone.
Part of Healthscope Limited, Gribbles Veterinary is the leading provider of veterinary diagnostic testing and pathology services in Australasia, servicing private veterinary practices, academic institutes, research organisations, pharmaceutical companies, various government agencies, aquaculture enterprises and zoological parks. Gribbles is a major contributor to biosecurity surveillance in Australia and New Zealand.

Biotest-Diagnostics - Keith Page, Richard Wood and Mike Seawright.

ENDS

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