Singapore, March 24, 2008: Veredus Laboratories, a privately held, medical diagnostics company from Singapore and STMicroelectronics, a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics application head quartered in Geneva, announced the commercial availability of VereFlu, a portable lab-on-chip application for rapid detection of all major influenza types at the point of need. VereFlu is being launched following the successful evaluation trials conducted at the National University Hospital of Singapore.

 

“We are pleased to report that our evaluation trials show the suitability of the VereFlu diagnostic application for field testing and deployment. The diagnostic reliability of this novel device makes it a powerful weapon against future influenza pandemics,” said Associate Prof Raymond Lin, Head of Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, National University Hospital in Singapore.

 

Unlike existing diagnostic methods, VereFlu is a breakthrough molecular diagnostic test that can detect infection with high accuracy and sensitivity, within two hours providing genetic information of the infection that traditionally would take days to weeks to learn. With its high level of automation, users outside the traditional lab environment can easily perform the tests at the point of need.

 

Dr Rosemary Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Veredus Laboratories, said, “VereFlu will enable healthcare professionals to effectively monitor mutations of flu viruses and quickly identify the main strain of the season. This unique capability can significantly increase the effectiveness of flu vaccination and reduce public health risks associated with the emergence of a new flu virus.”

 

Combining STMicroelectronics’ In-Check lab-on-chip platform with Veredus’ bio-application capability, VereFlu is the market’s first test which has integrated two powerful molecular biological applications in a lab-on-chip the size of a fingernail. It can identify and differentiate human strains of Influenza A and B viruses, including the Avian Flu strain H5N1, in a single test.

 

Mr Francois Guibert, Corporate Vice President and CEO, Asia Pacific region, STMicroeletronics said, “The combination of our strengths in technology and Veredus’ diagnostic know-how will help to accelerate our joint success in the field of molecular diagnostics.”

 

A miniature laboratory on a chip, ST’s In-Check platform allows users to accurately and reliably process and analyze minute patient samples – human blood, serum or respiratory swabs - on a single disposable thumbnail-sized chip. This approach reduces the time and complexity, as well as the risk of cross-contamination inherent in conventional analysis methods.