Grants

Diagnostic Array Systems (DAS) has completed a Commercial Ready Grant for the BacTrak System which started in 2007 with funding from AusIndustry. DAS met its objectives to develop BacTrak a diagnostic genetic microarray for the identification of microbial pathogens causing a range of lung diseases.

The grant in conjunction with BPH Corporate funding has assisted in the development of BacTrak which includes a number of key features which underpin its commercial potential.

These include:

- Rapid simultaneous detection of 16 respiratory pathogens including Tuberculosis (TB), Legionella and Methycillin resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

- Results within hours rather than days using the current culture gold standard.

- Sensitivity and positive confirmation for the 16 pathogens from easily obtained clinical sputum samples.

- Direct benefits from the project development include:

- Earlier, appropriate treatment;

- Shorter length of hospital stay;

- Earlier potential isolation of hospital patients; and

- Reduction in the over-prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotics

The ability of BacTrak to detect respiratory pathogens, including TB, Legionella and MRSA from a single sputum sample is of immense importance and potential value. Given the global significance and threat of TB in particular it is hoped large volume manufacturing by a suitable IVD manufacturer should deliver a low cost diagnostic kit suitable for deployment in both developing and third world countries.

Diagnostic Array Systems also received a Biotechnology Innovation Fund (BIF) grant in 2004 titled 'detecting the cause of infectious diseases using bacterial DNA' which was completed in 2006.