Global Access Diagnostics (GADx), a social enterprise that prioritizes equitable access to diagnostics and drives local manufacturing, today announced the development of RaDiCal, a one-step lateral molecular flow test to enable rapid diagnosis of pneumonia, one of the most important diseases affecting calves. . The trial is being developed through a collaborative consortium, including representatives from the University of Surrey, the University of Glasgow, Cardiff University and Westpoint Farm Vets, to provide a low-cost platform for vets or farmers on the farm. The project is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Pneumonia is one of the most important diseases affecting calves, costing the UK livestock industry around £50 million a year 1. As a result of GADx participation in a BBSRC Endemic Livestock Disease workshop Priming Partnerships and driven by the challenges described by farmers, the consortium is combining expertise in microbiology, veterinary infectious diseases and diagnostic test development to create RaDiCal. The test is a pioneering molecular lateral flow platform that can be connected to a digital mobile phone platform for easy interpretation of results, allowing farmers and veterinarians to diagnose calves on the farm and then take quick and informed action to facilitate improving disease management and support. responsible management of antibiotics.
Alison Wakeham, Head of Agriculture and Animal Health, GADx, said: “GADx’s expertise in lateral flow technology allows us to support multiple disease areas. By applying our platform within the livestock industry, we are pleased to be able to help improve disease management of one of the most important diseases affecting calves. Working alongside other experts in this field through the consortium and supported by BBSRC funding, we are looking forward to progressing the project and bringing the transformative test to market. Being able to diagnose and Treating accurately early in the disease cycle is critical to preventing spread and controlling outbreaks.”
Professor Mark Chambers, Professor of Microbiology and Disease Control at the University of Surrey, who is leading the project, commented: “The University of Surrey is delighted to lead the RaDiCal project and will use its expertise in veterinary infectious disease and test development within an exciting consortium of other academics and representatives from industry, large animal veterinary practice and the farmers themselves in the end. of managing calf pneumonia. Through this close collaboration and ongoing consultation, we will ensure that we develop a test that meets the needs of the livestock industry.”
Abi Reader, Project Partner, Dairy Farmer, Goldsland Farm, Chair NFU Cymru Milk Board and Chair CHeCS, added: “Calf pneumonia places a huge burden on UK dairy farmers, leading to increased veterinary costs and farming losses. RaDiCal will help reduce this impact and support farmers by enabling early intervention and improved calf welfare “.
To support this research, the University of Surrey’s School of Veterinary Medicine is looking for veterinarians who work with calves to share their experiences of using diagnostic tests and managing calf pneumonia.
If you would like to participate, please complete this short anonymous survey:
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For more information about the project, please contact: Mark Chambers ([email protected])