28th September 2001
Development sheds light on bacterial detection
Acolyte Biomedica has awarded Cambridge Consultants Limited (CCL) a contract to develop an ultra-rapid automated system that could revolutionise the detection and treatment of infectious diseases. The new automated system, designed to operate within the existing laboratory environment using standard reagents, will diagnose bacterial infections and their drug susceptibility many times quicker than current methods to provide results that can be used for the clinical management of individual patients.
Infectious diseases, such as Meningitis, Pneumonia and TB are responsible for one quarter of all deaths worldwide, second only to cardiovascular disease.
The initial technology being used by Acolyte was developed over 10 years of research at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down. Acolyte awarded CCL the contract to develop the high throughput testing machine due to its experience in the development of complex automated medical systems, plus its ability to rapidly produce prototypes.
By using a combination of three technology elements - advanced bioluminescent detection technology; immuno magnetic extraction technology; and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) - the system will rapidly identify the cause of bacterial infection in clinical samples and automatically assess their susceptibility to selected antibiotics. Chris Hammond - head of healthcare engineering
Chris Hammond, head of CCL's healthcare engineering said, "The automation of microbiological testing is overdue. By combining Acolyte's technology and CCL's rapid product development expertise, ultra-rapid microbiological detection will soon be a reality and bring all the associated benefits."
Dr Bill Mullen, Acolyte's Business Development Director added, "This instrument will revolutionise the treatment of serious infectious diseases. Doctors will be able to prescribe the right treatment first time within hours of a patient entering hospital."
He continued, "This leads to significant cost benefits in the long run as more targeted treatment is effected in the first instance meaning an end to the 'hit it and hope' approach currently in practice. There will also be an impact on the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria - the right drug for the right bug."
Notes for editors:
Cambridge Consultants develops breakthrough products, creates and licenses intellectual property, and provides business consultancy in technology critical issues for clients worldwide. For 50 years, the company has been helping its clients turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether they are launching first-to-market products, entering new markets or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies. With a team of over 300 engineers, designers, scientists and consultants, in offices in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (USA), Cambridge Consultants offers solutions across a diverse range of industries including medical technology, industrial and consumer products, transport, energy, cleantech and wireless communications.
Throughout 2010, Cambridge Consultants celebrates its 50th year in business. Created by three Cambridge graduates in 1960, the company has grown into a leading technology business, renowned worldwide for its ability to solve technical problems and provide innovative, practical solutions to commercial issues. In 2009, the company was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. For more information visit: www.CambridgeConsultants.com
Cambridge Consultants is part of Altran, the European leader in innovation and high technology consulting. The Group’s 17,500 consultants, operating worldwide, cover the entire range of engineering specialities, including electronics, information technology, quality and organisation. Altran offers its clients ongoing support throughout the innovation cycle, from technology watch, applied basic research and management consulting to industrial systems engineering and information systems. The Group provides services to most industries, including the automotive, aeronautics, space, life sciences and telecommunications sectors. Founded in 1982, Altran operates in 20 priority countries. In 2008, it generated a turnover of €1,650 million. For more information visit: www.altran.com
Acolyte Biomedica Limited (ABL) has been established as a joint venture between Dstl and ANGLE Technology, to develop and commercialise a technology for ultra-rapid diagnosis of bacterial infection. The technology also allows for simultaneous identification of which antibiotics should be used to treat the infection.
ABL has developed this new diagnostic system through integrating a combination of novel technologies that have been developed over a ten year period by Dstl and its licensors.
Dstl (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) is the centre of scientific excellence for the Ministry of Defence housing one of the largest groups of scientists and engineers in public service in the country. An exciting new organisation with a pedigree of scientific excellence, it was created on 2 July 2001. All the government defence laboratories retained in the national interest from Dstl's forerunner organisation, the Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA), came together on that date under the new title Dstl as an integral part of MOD.
For further information:
Cambridge Consultants
Patrick Pordage
Marketing Communications Director
Tel: +44 1223 420024
Patrick.Pordage@CambridgeConsultants.com