Applied Biosystems Announces Comprehensive Avian Influenza Response Initiative

Applied Biosystems has announced a comprehensive avian influenza response initiative, aimed at containing and responding to potential infectious disease outbreaks. This initiative includes the provision of standardized influenza detection kits for surveillance, ongoing sequencing information of the influenza virus, and access to a global influenza genome database. The goal of these kits is to assist public health officials and researchers in evaluating and monitoring outbreaks of avian influenza.

Key Takeaways:

• Applied Biosystems has launched a comprehensive avian influenza response initiative, including standardized influenza detection kits, ongoing sequencing information, and access to a global influenza genome database.
• The initiative aims to assist public health officials and researchers in evaluating and monitoring outbreaks of avian influenza.
• The kits will enable rapid and reliable detection of the H5N1 subtype, including H5N1, in human and animal samples.
• Applied Biosystems has partnered with key public health organizations, including the World Health Organization, to provide standardized genome sequencing protocols and technology to key public health laboratories around the world.
• The initiative includes the creation of a global infectious disease surveillance infrastructure, with a focus on avian influenza and other priority pathogens.
• Applied Biosystems has developed a standardized system for surveillance and detection of a broad range of infectious diseases, including the ABI PRISM 6100 Nucleic Acid PrepStation, the Applied Biosystems 7900HT Real-Time PCR System, and standardized protocols.

Statistics:

• Over 12,000 of Applied Biosystems' genetic analyzers are installed in more than 4,500 global locations.
• Applied Biosystems has a global installed base of real-time PCR systems, including over 100 systems currently utilized by the U.S. national public health network.
• The company expects to ship the avian flu detection kits to select laboratories before the end of 2005, with broad availability in early 2006.
• Applied Biosystems intends to stockpile materials in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan to enable a more rapid response to kit production and distribution.

Sources:

• "Coordinated Avian Influenza Response First Step in Containing and Responding to Potential Infectious Disease Outbreaks" (AP Applied Biosystems, Nov 9, 2005)
• "Applied Biosystems: Press Release" (Applied Biosystems, Nov 9, 2005)
• "Los Alamos National Laboratory: Press Release" (Los Alamos National Laboratory, Nov 9, 2005)
• "WHO Collaborating Centres for Influenza: Influenza Sequence Database" (World Health Organization, Nov 9, 2005)
• "Applera Corporation: Press Release" (Applera Corporation, Nov 9, 2005)