The ongoing outbreak in cattle increases the
risk of further mutations to spread efficiently in humans
highlighting the need for an accurate decentralized
testing ecosystem
ALAMEDA,
Calif., July 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Alveo
Technologies, Inc. (Alveo), a leader in molecular sensing and
diagnostics with its proprietary technology platform, today
announced that it has demonstrated in silico that its rapid, hand
held, point of need molecular diagnostic for avian influenza can
detect the H5N1 variant based on sequences published from
recent human infections in Colorado, as well as those found in infected
cattle.
On July 15 and 16, GISAID (the
Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database) released
the genetic sequence of the H5N1 viruses that recently
infected one of the dairy farm workers in Colorado. Notably, GISAID said that a
"mammalian adaptation marker (E627K) was noted in one of the farm
workers." The method of transmission among cattle remains unknown,
but the implications are concerning. It is possible that cattle are
shedding a mammalian-adapted virus that could be reintroduced to
commercial poultry, or that selection pressures are driving the
virus towards mammalian adaptation. In either case, the ongoing
outbreak among cattle increases the risk that H5N1 will gain the
ability to spread efficiently among humans.
The UK Health Security Agency released a report in May that
stated, "The baseline risk of influenza A(H5N1) evolving to cause
human transmission before the current cattle outbreak was
previously considered to be a remote chance (0-5%). There is
consensus that this risk has now increased. However, with current
limited information we cannot resolve the risk further and it may
fall at highly unlikely (10-20%) or unlikely (25-35%)."
Testing is a critical component in the fight against emerging
infectious diseases, and recent outbreaks highlight the urgent need
to increase testing capacity for avian influenza for both animals
and humans. Alveo conducted in silico analysis using their
previously developed Avian influenza A subtype H5 LAMP designs on
recently reported human and bovine sequences obtained from GISAID.
Results show that Alveo H5 designs are concordant with all 12
reported sequences of emerging influenza A subtype H5 sequences.
This suggests that the LAMP Avian influenza assay is capable of
detecting all 12 reported sequences belonging to clade 4.3.4.4b, H5N1, including the variants found in
humans.
Alveo expects the Flockscreen LAMP Avian Influenza Molecular
Test for poultry, the first diagnostic of its kind that can
test both cloacal and oropharyngeal samples, and which the company
developed with numerous partners, to begin shipping to Europe and the Middle East in the third quarter of 2024 once
validation and verification activities have concluded with the
relevant regulatory bodies. The company is now actively working to
validate avian influenza diagnostics for both human and bovine use
cases.
"Avian influenza has already caused enormous damage to the
poultry industry and has devastated populations of wild birds,"
said Shaun Holt, CEO of Alveo
Technologies. "We still have time to prevent H5N1 from evolving
further into a dangerous virus that spreads efficiently among
people, but to do so, we need fast, precision diagnostics for both
humans and animals. Alveo's portable and rugged, rapid molecular
testing platform can fill this gap, providing accurate results to
supplement limited lab resources and capacity. Given the urgent
need, we have been relentless with respect to the time and
resources we've devoted to developing our H5N1 test; we've also
partnered with industry leaders which allowed for access to
countless actual field samples of the virus to confirm sensitivity
and specificity for the real world. These initial results,
indicating we can detect the virus in cattle and humans in addition
to poultry, is confirmation of our rigor in the product development
process and is very much aligned with our strategic positioning at
the intersection of human, animal and food health."
About Alveo
Alveo is the first company to make molecular detection and
diagnostics universally accessible – on the farm, in the field, in
the clinic, or in the manufacturing plant – helping prevent or
significantly limit the destructive impact of viruses, fungi,
bacteria, and other pathogens by detecting earlier at the Point of
Need™. Alveo's rugged and portable, multiplex-capable diagnostic
platform employs a patented method of direct electrical sensing of
nucleic acid amplification to provide affordable, rapid, and
accurate results. By enabling early pathogen detection, Alveo helps
manage global health, food security, and supply chain resiliency by
providing actionable insights at lightspeed. Know Sooner, Act
Faster™ with Alveo. For more, visit:
https://www.alveotechnologies.com/
CONTACT: Jeff Miller,
jeff@marketstreetgrp.com, 541-207-6413
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SOURCE Alveo Technologies