The innovation trophy and certificate is awarded each year by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) – for whom Princess Anne is patron – to the product which is likely to be the most significant innovation for the future of dairying.
Actiphage is a novel test to detect low levels of mycobacteria in blood and milk in just six hours. This simple technology has successfully been used in private bovine TB eradication strategies, in Johne’s disease control and also for quality assurance testing of dairy products for viable mycobacterial contamination.
Originally developed as a tool for diagnosis of human TB, Actiphage has been optimised and developed by Drs Cath Rees and Ben Swift from the University of Nottingham and the Royal Veterinary College, respectively. They received the award from Princess Anne alongside Dr Berwyn Clarke, founder and Non-Executive Director at PBD Biotech – which holds exclusive worldwide licence for Actiphage.
This is the latest in a string of awards Actiphage has been involved in, including local business awards and one of Canada’s top innovation awards for agri-tech.
Mark Hammond, PBD Biotech’s new CEO, said, “We are delighted that our technology is now able to help the dairy industry detect Mycobacteria in both livestock and dairy products worldwide and we look forward to working with dairy producers, vets and farmers in the future to help tackle these important diseases.”
Actiphage has the potential to revolutionise livestock disease management; expedite food safety checks on milk and dairy products; and ease the burden on farmers, the industry and wider public.
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