Epistem successfully completes first-round testing of TB diagnostic device
The diagnostic test to be commercially launched to the Indian market in 2012
Life science firm Epistem announced this morning that it has successfully completed its first-round tuberculosis (TB) clinical studies as part of its diagnostic collaboration with India’s Xcelris Laboratories.
Since Epistem revealed its collaboration with Xcelris, one of India’s leading genomics research and diagnostic testing companies, the firms have evaluated Epistem’s Genedrive molecular diagnostic device in three private Indian clinics to assess its potential for the rapid diagnosis and subsequent treatment of TB sufferers.
India has the largest number of TB sufferers in the world – more than twice the number in China. Every year, two million new patients in India develop TB, of which roughly half a million cases are fatal and with the highest incidence occurring in remote rural areas (source: World Health Organisation).
According to Epistem, Genedrive represents a major advance in molecular diagnostic testing by providing a rapid (30 mins), low cost, simple-to-use device with high sensitivity that is applicable to a wide range of viral, bacterial, fungal and somatic mutation-based diseases. It is currently being targeted at identifying TB infection at an early stage, but the firm plans for it to be used across a broad spectrum of infectious diseases (including Dengue Fever, HIV and other STDs)
Epistem said that the TB programme will continue its evaluation through 2011, following which it and its partner will launch the diagnostic test commercially to the Indian market in 2012.
The firm’s share price was up three pence to 376.5 pence in early trading this morning.
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