Rapid diagnosis of flu

 The technology combines specialist bio-sensor materials with advanced electronics in a small hand held device for the accurate detection of flu and other respiratory conditions from patient supplied samples. Importantly, the device can be used at the patient’s bed side or other point of care, such as a GP surgery or pharmacy, with the results being available within minutes and without samples being sent for laboratory analysis. For the last three years OJ-Bio has worked with the UK’s Health Protection Agency (HPA) to successfully develop and test the new biosensor device. This has proven its ability to successfully detect three potent respiratory viruses much more quickly than current methods. Included are the Influenza A and B viruses, common flu strains previously linked to some major epidemics, and Respiratory Synctyial Virus (RSV), a major cause of coughs and chest infections. The latest funding approval will enable the company to build on its existing work by developing lab-based prototypes into a fully functional pilot device capable of carrying out large scale clinical trials.