Lab-on-chip VereFlu of Veredus Lab is successfully tested on Swine-Flu H1N1 samples

Singapore based Veredus Laboratories has successfully tested its new VereFlu chip on confirmed pandemic H1N1-2009 influenza (Swine Flu) positive samples in a joint trial with the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL).

The VereFlu is built on the STMicroelectronics lab-on-chip platform, is the market's first test with two powerful molecular biological applications, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and a microarray, onto a Lab-on-Chip platform. VereFlu can identify and differentiate human strains of Influenza A (H1, H3, H5, H7, H9) and B viruses, including the Avian Flu strain H5N1, and the current Swine Flu H1N1 in a single test.

The microarray on this chip featuring simultaneously lock on multiple segments of the genes of the A(H1N1) influenza virus enable VereFlu to identify the virus with a higher degree of confidence especially detecting influenza viruses which are known for their rapid mutation. The VereFlu cuts down the number of tests on the microorganism sample.

"Monitoring of influenza activity is very important, as demonstrated by this crisis with H1N1-2009. The NPHL does regular surveillance of influenza subtypes and strains circulating in the community. We have now involved more medical labs to participate in the surveillance work. We are constantly on the lookout for new technologies able to detect and identify influenza virus types quickly. It is good that Singapore companies are able to respond with new solutions for testing pandemic influenza." said Associate Professor Raymond Lin, Head of the Ministry of Health's National Public Health Laboratory.

"We are greatly encouraged with the findings as it validates our proprietary methodology. Veredus will continue to work with our current customers, including public health laboratories around the world to further confirm our findings. Our next step is to enable the chip to check for drug resistance in Influenza A(H1N1) as it mutates. This will significantly enhance its capability to combat potentially deadly variants of influenza viruses," said Dr Rosemary Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Veredus Laboratories. "VereFlu is already being deployed to several pilot users in Asia and Middle East and we look forward to increasing our customer base."

"In face of this global pandemic on A(H1N1), the combination of ST's lab-on-chip platform with Veredus' molecular diagnostics expertise stands out as a powerful tool in its ability to provide rapid and accurate identification of the virus," said Anton Hofmeister, Group Vice-President and General Manager for ST's Microfluidic Division. "The findings of the trial confirm our joint efforts in the field of molecular diagnostics are on the right track and set to catalyze the adoption of VereFluTM in the market."