PrimerDesign Ltd, a UK firm founded by Southampton University scientists, claims that it has won the race to produce the first DNA test kit for swine flu.
Moving target: the influenza virus. Image courtest CDC.
The first shipment of rapid-results tests has been shipped to Mexico and other countries to help authorities monitor spread of the diseases.
The rapid test provides results in only two hours compared to current diagnostic tests, which take two days.
“Monitoring the spread of the virus is now the key weapon against a possible pandemic. These tests will contribute to the global effort to halt the disease,” said Jim Wicks from PrimerDesign.
The company is part of the university’s SETsquared Business Incubation programme.
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