Biosearch Technologies Selected for SBIR Grants Issued by the DoD for Disease Detection
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Biosearch Technologies, Inc. (Biosearch) has announced that the company has been selected for two Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants from the Department of Defense (DoD).
The purpose of both Phase I grants is to develop sensitive analyte specific reagents (ASRs) for a total of twelve pathogens of military importance. The ASRs will be based on real time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) modified for field deployment in overseas military operations.
The first grant includes six viral target pathogens (Dengue, Rift Valley Fever, Sand Fly Fever, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, and Chikungunya), while the second includes six Rickettsial pathogens (the causative agents of typhus, spotted fever, anaplasmosis, Ehrlichioses, and Q fever). Many of these agents are listed as Category A or B Priority Pathogens by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Successful completion of Phase I is expected to lead to a multiyear Phase II award.
Jerry Ruth, PhD, is the Director of Research and Development at Biosearch, and the Principal Investigator of the Award. Dr Ruth comments, “Reagents for the rapid and specific detection of highly infectious and often lethal diseases in the field of operations are of paramount importance in saving the lives of military personnel. Additionally, such reagents are also the key to identifying the source and limiting the spread of such pathogens.”
The purpose of both Phase I grants is to develop sensitive analyte specific reagents (ASRs) for a total of twelve pathogens of military importance. The ASRs will be based on real time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) modified for field deployment in overseas military operations.
The first grant includes six viral target pathogens (Dengue, Rift Valley Fever, Sand Fly Fever, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, and Chikungunya), while the second includes six Rickettsial pathogens (the causative agents of typhus, spotted fever, anaplasmosis, Ehrlichioses, and Q fever). Many of these agents are listed as Category A or B Priority Pathogens by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Successful completion of Phase I is expected to lead to a multiyear Phase II award.
Jerry Ruth, PhD, is the Director of Research and Development at Biosearch, and the Principal Investigator of the Award. Dr Ruth comments, “Reagents for the rapid and specific detection of highly infectious and often lethal diseases in the field of operations are of paramount importance in saving the lives of military personnel. Additionally, such reagents are also the key to identifying the source and limiting the spread of such pathogens.”
