The University of Colorado’s Technology Transfer Office has executed two licenses with Quidel Corporation of San Diego, CA, a leading provider of rapid point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests. The agreements grant exclusive, worldwide rights to two influenza detection technologies developed by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
The Anti-Viral Resistance (AVR) Chip was developed by a team of CU-Boulder researchers led by Drs. Kathy Rowlen and Robert Kuchta. Quidel’s intent is to develop and market diagnostic tests featuring the chip for use in identifying mutations that may complicate influenza treatment decisions.
The chip detects the two most common factors contributing to the resistance of influenza to drug treatment. The ability to identify antiviral susceptibility is important for global monitoring of influenza patterns, and for directing physicians toward better treatment decisions.
Preliminary studies demonstrate a 95% success rate in the detection of influenza mutations known to result in drug resistance.
The BChip was also developed at CU-Boulder, in close collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); its primary application is in influenza B monitoring, as a tool for the clinical laboratory and at the point-of-care in the physician office laboratory. The BChip can detect two influenza B virus strains (B/Victoria/2/87 and B/Yamagata/16/88), which are critical in determining seasonal influenza vaccines.
In a recent study of 62 influenza B virus samples from 19 countries, dating from 1945 to 2005, as well as five negative control samples, the BChip exhibited 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity, with no false positives.
The two new chips help strengthen Quidel’s technology foundation in molecular diagnostics; they represent further work done on the FluChip and MChip technologies licensed by Quidel from CU in December 2006.
“After many years of faculty research, we are excited to have executed three licenses with a leading company in the molecular diagnostic industry. This arrangement has the potential to help millions of people,” said David Allen, CU’s associate vice president for technology.
About the Technology Transfer Office
The CU Technology Transfer Office pursues, protects, packages, and licenses to business the intellectual property generated from research at CU. The TTO provides assistance to faculty, staff, and students, as well as to businesses looking to license or invest in CU technology. For more information about technology transfer at CU, visit www.cu.edu/techtransfer.
About Quidel Corporation
Quidel Corporation serves to enhance the health and well being of people around the globe through the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of rapid diagnostic solutions at the point of care (POC) in infectious diseases and reproductive health. Marketed under the leading brand name of QuickVue®, the portfolio currently includes tests that aid in the diagnosis of several disease or condition states, including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, Fecal Occult Blood, Strep A, pregnancy, bacterial vaginosis, infectious mononucleosis, H. pylori and Chlamydia. Quidel's products are sold to healthcare professionals with a focus on the physician office lab and acute care markets through leading medical distribution partners on a worldwide basis. Quidel's Specialty Products Group (SPG) develops research products in the fields of oncology and bone health with future point-of-care applications. By building value in rapid diagnostic tests, Quidel provides leadership to the industry and among healthcare professionals allowing for the movement of patient testing out of the central laboratory setting and into the physician office, urgent care and other outpatient settings where rapid testing and treatment has an impact on clinical outcomes and provides an economic benefit. For more information, visit www.quidel.com, www.flutest.com, or www.colorectal-test.com.