Finite stockpiles of therapeutic agents are being built to counteract various bioterror agents. A typical stockpile may be a few million doses. There is therefore a pressing need for the development of objective methods for determining who should be treated with a scarce therapeutic agent in the event of a sudden attack. The principle of “test to treat” is that a real–time point of care diagnostic will detect the bioterror agent in a body fluid and those testing positive will then be treated. To be useful, the diagnostic test will have to deliver sensitive and specific results in <30 minutes.
Biodefense officials are actively encouraging development of rapid, convenient, point–of–care diagnostics to provide "test to treat" information. Cantimer’s technology is a candidate for this application. In addition, beyond the development of diagnostic tests, Cantimer’s sensor technology may also be applied to the development of early–warning pathogen or chemical detection systems.
Bioterrorism emergencies may include outbreaks of such things as Anthrax, Botulism, Brucellosis, Smallpox, Ebola, Plague and Tularemia.
Radiation emergencies may include such things as Acute Radiation Syndrome, Dirty Bombs, a Nuclear Blast and Polonium.
Chemical emergencies may include such things as Ricin, Chlorine, nerve agents and toxic alcohols.
Other emergencies may include such things as explosions, blasts and/or environmental disasters.
If you are interested in exploiting Cantimer’s broad sensor development capabilities in the development of proprietary biodefense tests, please contact:
Ray Stewart, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer
rstewart@cantimer.com
(650) 474-0500, x302