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Follow on Google News |  5 Minute Swab Test For Superbug Wins Universal Sensors Phase 2 Sbri AwardCompany to take innovation to product with SBRI contract.
By: Universal Sensors Ltd SBRI contracts are designed to address intractable problems in healthcare and other fields. Every year at least 300,000 patients develop a Health Care Acquired Infection (HCAI) and it is estimated that around 1 in 10 patients pick up an infection during their stay in a UK hospital, at an estimated cost to the NHS of £1 billion a year. If pathogens can be detected early they can be contained and eradicated. Within its Phase1 contract, Universal Sensors demonstrated that its VantixTM biosensor technology could detect as little as one pathogenic cell per square centimetre of surface tested. The company proposed that if this technology was to be made available as a hand-held device it would give immediate confirmation of the presence of a pathogen, preventing potential cross-infection of another patient. Dr Kevin Auton, Commercial Director of Universal Sensors explained that an extensive consultation process was undertaken in parallel with the scientific development. “We listened to senior staff from 20 different NHS trusts so that we could fully understand the requirements of the many different healthcare workers that are involved in infection control. At present, environmental tests are sent to a centralised laboratory and the results take several days to come back. The consensus was that if it was possible to perform the tests on the hospital ward this would significantly improve the speed and quality of decision making.” The focus groups revealed that any device has to be easy to use and provide an objective reading. They also indicated that there were at least two different types of users: the Lead Infection Control specialists who see the device as a way of assisting best practise and the cleaning contractors and facilities managers who viewed it as a way of validating their performance. The final design must address the needs of all its users. Universal Sensors’ unique biosensor technology works with existing immuno, enzyme and DNA tests. The company has based its approach on a well-proven technique – enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) – which is a diagnostic tool widely used in medicine. The advantage of the VantixTM biosensors over the traditional approach is that an electrical signal is generated rather than a change in colour. This is easier and quicker to detect and provides a digital reading, which is unambiguous and can be stored along with the sample details. Using VantixTM biosensors accelerates tests, makes them more sensitive and reduces operator error. Tests based on the VantixTM biosensor platform have been shown to be robust, reproducible and very fast to perform. This work was commissioned by the Management Board of SBRI. The views expressed in the publication are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily that of the funding partners. - ENDS - Notes to Editor About the SBRI programme SBRI is a programme that brings innovative solutions to specific public sector needs, by engaging a broad range of companies in competitions for ideas that result in short-term development contracts. Key features: • SBRI is a programme for running an open competition for ideas and new technologies. • It results in a fully funded development contract between the company and the government department - it is not a government grant. • It generally has a two-phased development approach that starts with initial feasibility and then more detailed product development. • It is a fast track, simplified process that allows government departments to engage with business they would not normally work with. • It is particularly suitable for SME and early stage businesses and gives vital funding for the critical stage of product development. • The government department (or public sector body) acts as the lead customer and is instrumental in helping the business develop its product or technology. • It should result in a commercial product or service. • The intellectual property is retained by the company, with certain rights of use held by the department. SBRI stands for Small Business Research Initiative and significantly reworks the previous scheme that was launched into the UK in 2001. The Technology Strategy Board champions SBRI which is now focused on technology development and specific competitions. This is similar to the SBIR scheme in the United States, which has been running successfully since 1982. About Universal Sensors Ltd Universal Sensors Limited has developed a biosensor platform for the detection of a range of contaminants, toxins and disease markers in complex aqueous based samples. The Vantix(TM) biosensors are sensitive, fast and versatile so that they can be used in the assays automated in a range of product platforms. We focus on developing product systems which move tests out of the laboratory and to the point-of-care or point-of-use. The Vantix product range includes: a laboratory research instrument (Vantix Research) for the development of new methods; a desk-top Point-of-Care system in development for use in hospitals and in the community (Vantix Point-of-Care) Universal Sensors enters into collaborations and partnerships to apply this platform technology in vertical markets. Universal Sensors Limited is subsidiary of the Sensortec Group and leads the development and commercialisation of the Sensortec IP in future generations of diagnostic and analytical devices. Contact information Universal Sensors Ltd Dr Kevin A Auton, Commercial Director Unit 4 Abbey Barns, Duxford Road, Ickleton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SX United Kingdom t: +44 (0)1799 533 160 e: news@universalsensors.co.uk w : www.universalsensors.co.uk # # # Universal Sensors design and manufactures biosensors that are sensitive, fast and versatile. Its unique Vantix biosensor technology allows tests that traditionally take several hours of laboratory time to be performed in minutes. www.universalsensors.co.uk End
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