BBI says its Ebola test could provide results in 20 minutes and could be used at borders to control the spread of the virus
A rapid test for the Ebola virus which could provide a result in 20 minutes has been developed by Cardiff-based diagnostics business BBI.
To date there have been more than 27,000 cases of Ebola reported and 11,000 deaths in West Africa from the virus.
The BBI Group's test, which is in the process of being verified to allow EUA submission, will be used to test patients suspected of Ebola infection to screen and potentially help with how they are subsequently managed.
Accurate diagnosis currently relies on skilled laboratory staff and equipment, largely unavailable in the field, resulting in delays in diagnosis and difficulty containing spread of the virus.
BBI says its development will make testing simpler and quicker than existing tests for Ebola.
With minimal training, local health teams can complete the test at bedside and have a result in 20 minutes.
Ebola
In field data suggests the test could be used as a negative agreement ‘rule-out’ test and screening method.
In the future, such a test could possibly be deployed at borders to monitor and control spread of the virus.
Leigh Thomas, chief commercial officer at BBI, said: “BBI has developed high performance lateral flow tests for some of the world’s leading diagnostic companies for over 25 years.
"Our expertise and flexibility has allowed us to quickly deploy a team and develop a rapid test in 9 months which, based on field testing, promises to have an immediate and positive impact on the Ebola crisis.
"We are pleased that our test will meet an immediate need in the field and ultimately improve the lives of others”.
