Respiratory disease diagnostics

There is a need for rapid, simple and low-cost point of care tests for respiratory viruses - so OJ-Bio Ltd has developed immunoassay-based biosensors for the detection of three major respiratory virus pathogens: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Influenza A and Influenza B.

A recent UK government-funded research programme (VIRASENS) used clinical samples (nasal secretions, nose/throat swabs, and nasal aspirates collected by the Health Protection Agency laboratory in Newcastle, UK) to test OJ-Bio's respiratory disease diagnostic sensor against a standard, laboratory-based PCR method and a commercially available POC test.

Results showed varying levels of diagnostic sensitivity for Influenza A, Influenza B, and RSV (92.3%, 90.0% and 94.1% respectively) but showed 100% specificity when tested with other viral analytes in all cases. The results compare favourably with current rapid tests for flu and RSV.

Preliminary clinical testing showed detection of all respiratory viruses at levels comparable to, or better than, current point of care systems - proving that OJ-Bio's technology provides a sensitive POC test for flu and RSV. Crucially, however, products developed from OJ-Bio's platform would also allow results to be transmitted by wireless networks for further clinical input or administrative use, making it ideal for community and home-based use.

Further development of diagnostic sensors
Our technology is ready for final development into cost-effective point of care diagnostic sensors for respiratory diseases, giving rapid results transmittable wirelessly or by a smart phone connection to medical personnel. We welcome approaches from organisations wishing to partner or licence this technology.