Veredus Laboratories Launches Powerful Multiplexed Molecular Diagnostic Lab-on-Chip Targeting Global Threat of Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Singapore, November 7, 2012 - Veredus Laboratories, a leading supplier of
innovative molecular diagnostic tools, has launched VereMTB(TM), a multiplexed
molecular diagnostic chip capable of fast and accurate detection of
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Complex (MTBC) and its mutations, as well as 9 other
clinically relevant non-tubercular mycobacterium. These mutations are
responsible for resistance to multiple drugs and are reinvigorating the global
spread of Tuberculosis.
The rise of multi-drug-resistant Tuberculosis (TB) is a global healthcare
challenge. Effective treatment of TB involves accurate and fast diagnosis
followed by a strict regimen of the right drugs. Shortcomings in this treatment
can cause the TB infection to mutate into drug-resistant strains that can become
increasingly difficult and expensive to treat. Conventional methods of
accurately identifying TB infections can take up to 8 weeks. In contrast,
VereMTB can complete the diagnosis and identify the specific mycobacterium
causing the infection and drug resistance in less than 3 hours from natural
samples*, avoiding the need for culturing, the most time-consuming part of the
traditional method. Additionally due to its compact size, the system can be
deployed in a wide range of settings at point-of-need.
"In 2011, 8.7 million people were diagnosed with TB and 1.4 million people died
from the disease. With its ranking by the World Health Organization as the
second greatest killer from a single infectious agent worldwide[1], faster
diagnosis and appropriate treatment of this highly infectious disease is
critical," said Dr Rosemary Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Veredus
Laboratories. "We believe VereMTB fulfills a crucial need in the timely
diagnosis of TB and its multi-drug resistance thus ensuring proper treatment."
The VereMTB multiplexed molecular diagnostic Lab-on-Chip was designed and tested
through the TM-REST** program, as part of the European 7(th) Framework to
develop new diagnostics to fight TB and malaria.
"STMicroelectronics is at the forefront of creating silicon technology targeted
at healthcare applications," said Benedetto Vigna, Executive VP & General
Manager, Analog, MEMS & Sensors Group, STMicroelectronics. "Our sensor and
power-related technologies have enabled numerous innovations in healthcare,
ranging from personal and portable to miniaturized and minimally-invasive
devices. Using ST's Lab-on-Chip technology, VereMTB is a clear demonstration of
ST's ability to leverage its technology portfolio as a strategic solution to
address a global healthcare burden."
Based on STMicroelectronics' industry-proven Lab-on-Chip technology, the VereMTB
chip is currently undergoing evaluations by the Chinese Center for Disease
Control and Prevention in Beijing, China as part of their ongoing program to
assess new technologies for TB diagnostics. According to the 2012 World Health
Organization report on TB, India and China combined have almost 40 percent of
the world's TB cases, and nearly 60% of multi-drug resistant cases in 2011 were
in India, China, and the Russian Federation.
"At the main CDC National TB Reference Lab in Beijing, we have been evaluating
VereMTB using samples, collected from across China with a special interest in
detecting challenging multi-drug resistant strains that are difficult to detect
using other methods," said Professor Zhao Yanlin Director of National TB
Reference Laboratory and Vice Director of the National Center for Tuberculosis
Control and Prevention at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The speed, accuracy and comprehensiveness of the results have been very
promising. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Veredus for new
breakthroughs in diagnosing TB."
VereMTB will be on display at the 43rd Union World Conference on Lung Health in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 13 - 17 Nov 2012 - Booth 67, Kuala Lumpur Convention
Centre. Veredus Laboratories is the Singapore-based subsidiary of
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader in sensor
technologies, including biosensors such as the Lab-on-Chip.
Notes to Editors:
* Natural samples refer to direct sputum coughed out by TB patients.
** The European funded consortium included STMicroelectronics, University of
Sienna (Italy), University of Glasgow (United Kingdom), University of London
(United Kingdom), Samara Oblast TB Service (Russian Federation), National
Reference Center for Mycobacterium (Germany), University Hospital of Lung
Diseases (Albania), National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
(Bulgaria), and Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (Switzerland). The
lead clinical development member was the San Raffaele Scientific Institute of
Milan, Italy. As part of the program VereMTB was tested on samples from Samara
(Russian Federation), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Tirana (Albania). VereMTB has also
recently undergone trials in Kampala, Uganda.
About Veredus Laboratories Pte Ltd
Veredus Laboratories Pte Ltd was founded in 2003 and launched its first products
in 2005. Veredus is a Singapore-based majority-owned subsidiary of
STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers
across the spectrum of electronics applications.
Veredus specializes in the development, manufacture, and marketing of innovative
multiplexed molecular solutions in the clinical, specialty, and custom testing
markets based on STMicroelectronics' proprietary Lab-on-Chip platform. The Lab-
on-Chip platform, marketed as the VerePLEX(TM) biosystem, combines Micro-
Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS) with micro-fluidics to integrate multiplexed
DNA amplification with microarray detection for rapid, cost-effective, and
accurate analysis of biological materials.
About STMicroelectronics
ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the
spectrum of sense and power technologies and multimedia convergence
applications. From energy management and savings to trust and data security,
from healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and
office, at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a
positive and innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from
technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.
In 2011, the Company's net revenues were $9.73 billion. Further information on
ST can be found at www.st.com.
For further information, please contact:
Hazelle Lam
Director, Sales and Marketing
Veredus Laboratories Pte Ltd
Mobile: +65 9431 3790
Email: hazelle.lam(at)vereduslabs.com
Boey Taik Boon
Corporate External Communications
STMicroelectronics Asia-Pacific
Tel: +65 6427 7765
Email: taik-boon.boey(at)st.com
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[1]www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs104/en
VereMTB IMAGE:
http://hugin.info/152740/R/1655709/535090.jpg
VereMTB PR:
http://hugin.info/152740/R/1655709/535089.pdf
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Source: STMicroelectronics via Thomson Reuters ONE
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Datum: 07.11.2012 - 09:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 200360
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