bioLytical Laboratories Announces Patent Filings in U.S. for Zika Detection Assays

RICHMOND, BC, Aug. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - bioLytical Laboratories, a world leader in rapid infectious disease tests, is pleased to announce that it has filed two patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office relating to multiple color rapid detection assay systems. The two new patent applications expand the growing intellectual property portfolio for the company and the innovative features that make this an ideal immunoassay system for the detection of antibodies to pathogens including Zika and other flaviviruses.The two new patent applications are based on the Company's INSTI platform and describe methods and kits allowing either simultaneous or sequential detection of different antibody classes to multiple pathogens using a single sample of blood or blood product. The first patent application describes a method for detecting active or past infection using Zika as an example. The second patent application describes a method for differentiating early from later stages of infection. These technology breakthroughs can revolutionize point-of-care rapid assays for detection of acute infections including Zika.Rick Galli, Chief Technical Officer, stated, "It is important to have innovative and relevant technologies at a state of readiness to enable a rapid response to emerging infectious diseases like the Zika virus outbreak. This is a vital contribution to disease control measures necessary for effective intervention and disease management practices. These patents represent an important first step in being able to effectively respond to current and future outbreaks."The Flaviviridae family has become a major concern in many areas of South America and more recently in the continental United States. As of early February 2016, the Brazil Ministry of Health has estimated that 500,000 to 1,500,000 cases of Zika virus disease have occurred since the beginning of the outbreak.1 With the high degree of cross-reactivity within the flaviviridae family, a diagnostic assay that can rapidly detect and differentiate between them, and determine new vs old infection, is of upmost importance and is a current area of focus for bioLytical._______________________(1) Garda, E. et al. (2016). Zika virus infection: global update on epidemiology and potentially associated clinical manifestations. World Health Organization – Weekly epidemiological record. 2016 No 7;91:73-88.