Pioneer in phage-based diagnostics

01359 231856

Twitter Youtube Linkedin Envelope
  • Home
  • About
    • About PBD Biotech
    • Leadership
    • Blog
  • Latest
    • Press releases
    • In the news
    • Events
  • Actiphage TB
    • What is Actiphage TB?
    • Unique role in TB testing
    • Supporting test and treat campaigns
    • Clinical studies
  • Lab Support
    • Laboratory Support
    • Solutions for laboratory developed tests
    • Actiphage assay workflow
    • Instructions for use of Actiphage
  • TB Drug Research
    • TB drug research
    • Research Use Only
    • Biomarker for TB prevention
  • Contact
    • Contacting us
    • Partnerships and collaborations
Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About PBD Biotech
    • Leadership
    • Blog
  • Latest
    • Press releases
    • In the news
    • Events
  • Actiphage TB
    • What is Actiphage TB?
    • Unique role in TB testing
    • Supporting test and treat campaigns
    • Clinical studies
  • Lab Support
    • Laboratory Support
    • Solutions for laboratory developed tests
    • Actiphage assay workflow
    • Instructions for use of Actiphage
  • TB Drug Research
    • TB drug research
    • Research Use Only
    • Biomarker for TB prevention
  • Contact
    • Contacting us
    • Partnerships and collaborations

New Actiphage test enters human TB trials

A new blood test for tuberculosis (TB) could, for the first time, enable screening of patients at an early stage of infection.
  • March 6, 2019
  • Human health
Blood test

The simple Actiphage® blood test is being investigated in a clinical trial by researchers from the University of Leicester and PBD Biotech – with results due to be announced later this year.

Despite recent reductions, the UK has one of the highest rates of TB in Western Europe. While TB cases have been declining overall in the UK, the rate of TB in some of the most deprived areas remains more than 7 times higher than in the least deprived*.

TB is a serious bacterial infection, which can be life threatening if not properly treated with antibiotics. Pulmonary TB of the lungs or throat is contagious, but TB can affect any part of the body.

One of the biggest challenges in human TB is rapid early diagnosis.

No blood tests currently exist to help with TB diagnosis. Traditional tests rely on sputum to detect the infection, but almost half of all people with pulmonary TB are unable to produce sputum, particularly in early disease. This contributes to delays in diagnosis and starting treatment, and promotes transmission within communities.

Actiphage, developed by PBD Biotech, is an alternative to bacterial culture. The test’s underlying biotechnology was originally used for the detection of human TB – under the FastPlaque brand – but was only suitable for use on sputum. Now the phage-based diagnostic has been optimised, so it can detect the presence of the mycobacteria in blood in just six hours. This means it may help to improve the speed and reliability of diagnosis for TB patients, and avoid the need for some patients to have more invasive tests performed.

The clinical trial of the new Actiphage test will involve a cohort of patients with both latent and active TB at Leicester’s Hospitals.

Dr Pranab Haldar from the University of Leicester, one of UK’s leading TB research groups, is the lead clinician on the trial and commented, “Many think of TB as a disease of the past and yet it is continuing to affect people, particularly in vulnerable communities across the country.

“Despite having a modern and well-equipped NHS, a third of patients still wait more than three months after symptoms begin to have a diagnosis made and treatment started. Through this trial we are keen to explore the potential of Actiphage to provide better insights into M. tuberculosis infection and determine how the test can support and contribute to tackling this public health problem in the UK as well as internationally.”

PBD Biotech CEO, Dr Berwyn Clarke, said, “Actiphage is the first sensitive, specific and speedy blood test for Mycobacteria. Its effectiveness has been proven in TB trials with other species, so it is an incredibly exciting opportunity to be working with one of the world’s leading human TB research groups to investigate its potential as a transformational tool in human health.”

Clinical trial findings will be announced at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) International Conference, Dallas, in May 2019.

REFERENCES

* The UK is in the lowest quartile for high-rate of TB incidences in Western Europe, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global tuberculosis report 2018, pages 245-248

** UK-wide TB statistics

  • Latest TB figures for England (2018)
  • Latest TB figures for Scotland (2018)
  • Latest TB figures for Wales (2018), including reference to Northern Ireland figures
Share:

Related posts

Loading...
PCR bead

Novel PCR reaction bead extends global reach of active TB test by removing the cold chain

March 17, 2023
Tuberculosis testing and treatment needs to happen close to the point of infection. PBD Biotech has developed a lyophilized PCR reaction bead for its Actiphage® blood test for active TB. This enables ambient shipping without the need for a cold...
PCR bead

Novel PCR reaction bead extends global reach of active TB test by removing the cold chain

March 17, 2023
Tuberculosis testing and treatment needs to happen close to the point of infection. PBD Biotech has developed a lyophilized PCR...
Global Plan to End TB cost of inaction

Improved diagnostics priority in Global Plan to End TB

November 21, 2022
The Global Plan to End TB is a costed public health plan. It aims to cut deaths by 90% in 8 years. A key recommendation of the report is to universally replace sputum microscopy with rapid molecular diagnostics.
Global Plan to End TB cost of inaction

Improved diagnostics priority in Global Plan to End TB

November 21, 2022
The Global Plan to End TB is a costed public health plan. It aims to cut deaths by 90% in...
Pictured from left are Ray Harris from Foresight, Sandy Reid of Mercia Asset Management, Jane Theaker of PBD Biotech and Mark Wilcockson of British Business Bank

PBD Biotech raises further £2.4m for its breakthrough tuberculosis blood test

October 17, 2022
Human tuberculosis is second only to Covid as the world’s most fatal infectious disease. PBD Biotech has developed a diagnostic with potential to revolutionise management of TB.
Pictured from left are Ray Harris from Foresight, Sandy Reid of Mercia Asset Management, Jane Theaker of PBD Biotech and Mark Wilcockson of British Business Bank

PBD Biotech raises further £2.4m for its breakthrough tuberculosis blood test

October 17, 2022
Human tuberculosis is second only to Covid as the world’s most fatal infectious disease. PBD Biotech has developed a diagnostic...
Rapid Research in Diagnostics Development for TB Network R2D2 TB Network

Promising TB diagnostic Actiphage selected for evaluation by R2D2 TB Network

September 30, 2022
Ease of use at the point of need is vital for the roll out of a diagnostic, so PBD Biotech, developers of Actiphage - a rapid blood test for early-stage tuberculosis - is partnering with the Rapid Research in Diagnostics...
Rapid Research in Diagnostics Development for TB Network R2D2 TB Network

Promising TB diagnostic Actiphage selected for evaluation by R2D2 TB Network

September 30, 2022
Ease of use at the point of need is vital for the roll out of a diagnostic, so PBD Biotech,...
1 2 3 Next »

developers of phage-based diagnostics

Contact Us
BIVDA member 2023

Registered Company Address
Grosvenor St Paul’s
Grosvenor House
11 St Paul’s Square
Birmingham
B3 1RB
United Kingdom

T: 01359 231856
info@pbdbio.com

Privacy and cookies policy

© 2022 PBD Biotech Ltd

design: out of house

  • Follow Us!