Nice little press release this morning re. an Anthrax application for the RAMP platform:
"Response Biomedical Responds to the Bioterrorism Threat; Developing on-Site Anthrax Test to Provide Accurate Results in Minutes
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--Response Biomedical Corp. (RBM: CDNX) announces it is developing an on-site test to detect anthrax within minutes. Using its proprietary RAMP(TM) diagnostic system, the test will be designed to identify anthrax spores within 15 minutes, considerably faster than conventional laboratory testing which takes up to 24 hours to deliver results.
``Our RAMP System, consisting of a lightweight, portable reader and disposable test cartridges, has demonstrated the ability to detect immunogenic substances to a level of analytical sensitivity found in expensive, lab-based systems,'' commented Bill Radvak, President and CEO of Response Biomedical. ``After considerable research, we are confident there will be a sustained market for rapid, sensitive on-site tests and that the RAMP System can meet the requirements of that market. For a few thousand dollars each, the 90,000 public safety sites in the U.S. would be able to raise their state of preparedness against the threat of bioterrorism.''
Rapid and accurate detection is necessary to minimize exposure to anthrax, begin more timely treatment for those exposed, and to reduce unnecessary treatment and anxiety. As RAMP is designed to provide rapid, accurate, medical diagnostic information, it is well suited for environmental testing of anthrax and other biological materials.
Response Biomedical is currently awaiting FDA market clearance of its first RAMP test for myoglobin, a cardiac marker used to aid in the diagnosis of heart attacks. Additionally, the Company is completing development of two other cardiac marker tests, and recently successfully completed feasibility of a RAMP PSA test to diagnose and monitor prostate cancer. ``While clinical diagnostics will remain our core business, we have long appreciated RAMP's suitability for non-medical applications,'' added Mr. Radvak. ``RAMP allows for the development of a host of rapid on-demand tests that are currently performed in the laboratory. Environmental testing will further demonstrate the versatility and power of our platform technology.''
The Company has had discussions with U.S. federal government security agencies about the RAMP System to meet security needs in the United States. It appears the bioterrorism threat in the U.S. will require the country's 2 million emergency personnel have access to an environmental biological detection system. Major U.S. corporations are also investigating the need for bioterrorism protection systems to protect the safety of their employees. The terrorist events of the past two months have forever changed how the world protects itself. |
