Member Article

Investment helps North East flu testing device

A North East technology firm is planning to help slow the spread of infectious diseases after securing a government investment.

Orla Protein Technologies Ltd has been given £700,000 to help develop technology to be used in the detection of respiratory viruses such as Respiratory Syncitial Virus (RSV) and Influenza (Flu).

The wireless devices will be used by doctors and paramedics to perform near-patient testing without the requirement for complex equipment, resulting in earlier, more effective treatment.

Dr Dale Athey, Orla’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This funding is a significant boost to our development and allows us to bring together experts in electronics, bioengineering and antibody technology. The resulting device will find application in an area of key unmet medical need. Rapid detection of respiratory viruses near the patient will make a huge difference in healthcare delivery.”

Orla has developed the technology in partnership with Newcastle University, The Health Protection Agency (HPA), Regional Technology Centre North, and Newcastle based antibody manufacturer Viratom Ltd.

Dr Andrew Sails, Head of R&D at the Health Protection Agency in Newcastle, said: “HPA has a strong interest in respiratory disease especially in paediatrics. We see this device playing an important role in the fight against these infectious diseases.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .