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- Posted Wednesday October 8, 2014
TGen and NAU patent for new pandemic flu test is approved
H1N1 assay benefits patients by helping doctors determine if infections are resistant to available flu treatments
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Oct. 8, 2014 - The federal
government has awarded a patent to the Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen) and Northern Arizona University (NAU) for a
test that can detect - and assist in the treatment of - the H1N1
pandemic flu strain.
TGen and NAU initially developed this precise, genomics-based test
during a significant global swine flu outbreak in 2009.
The newly-patented test, developed at TGen's Pathogen Genomics
Division (TGen North) in Flagstaff, can not only detect influenza -
as some tests do now - but also can quickly inform doctors about
what strain of flu it is, and whether it is resistant to
oseltamivir (sold by Roche under the brand name Tamiflu), the
primary anti-viral drug on the market to treat H1N1.
As with other influenza strains, H1N1 flu can over time be
expected to show signs of resistance to oseltamivir, and new
treatments will be needed to respond to future pandemics.
"The problem with influenza is that it can become resistant to the
antiviral drugs that are out there," said Dr. Paul Keim, Director
of TGen North, a Regents Professor of Biology at NAU and one of the
test's inventors. "Because it is a virus, it easily mutates and
becomes resistant."
David Engelthaler, Director of Programs and Operations for TGen
North and another of the test's inventors, said this flu detection
and susceptibility test uses a molecular technique that rapidly
makes exact copies of specific components of H1N1's genetic
material.
"Many people, including physicians, don't realize that the
pandemic swine flu strain from 2009 is still the most important flu
strain out there. This assay is very effective with detecting and
characterizing this dominant strain in the U.S. and around the
world," said Engelthaler, the former State Epidemiologist for
Arizona, and former State of Arizona Biodefense Coordinator.
The third inventor of the test is TGen North Lab Manager Elizabeth
Driebe.
Previously, only the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Prevention
(CDC) and a few select labs could look for resistance, using
time-intensive technology.
"This new test puts the power in the hands of the clinician to
determine if their drugs will work or not. This is really important
moving forward as we discover new strains that are resistant to
antivirals," Engelthaler said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified dozens of
instances in which H1N1 was resistant to Tamiflu.
At most doctors' offices, there is no readily available test for
H1N1. Such tests generally are conducted by state and federal
health agencies, and usually for those patients who require
hospitalization and appear at high risk because they have a
suppressed immune system or they have a chronic disease.
"Our test measures minute amounts of virus and minute changes to
the virus. Not only does it detect when resistance is occurring,
but it also detects it at the earliest onset possible," Engelthaler
said.
This new patent - No. US 8,808,993 B2, issued Aug. 19 by the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office - could be licensed for development of
test kits or for development of a testing service.
Earlier this year, TGen-NAU celebrated its first joint patent for
a genomics-based test that can identify most of the world's fungal
infections that threaten human health.
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About TGen
Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. TGen is focused
on helping patients with cancer, neurological disorders and
diabetes, through cutting edge translational research (the process
of rapidly moving research towards patient benefit). TGen
physicians and scientists work to unravel the genetic components of
both common and rare complex diseases in adults and children.
Working with collaborators in the scientific and medical
communities literally worldwide, TGen makes a substantial
contribution to help our patients through efficiency and
effectiveness of the translational process. For more information,
visit:www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
TGen Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]
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About Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University has a student population of more than
25,000 with its main campus at the foot of the San Francisco Peaks
in Flagstaff, Arizona. NAU provides an outstanding
undergraduate residential education strengthened by research,
graduate and professional programs, and sophisticated methods of
distance delivery and innovative new campuses and programs
throughout the state. NAU's mission and goals are based on
our core values, which includes placing learner needs at the center
of our planning, policies, and programs; providing all qualified
students with access to higher education; achieving multicultural
understanding as a priority of educational and civic life;
operating with fairness, honesty, and the highest ethical
standards; and supporting a civil, engaging, and respectful campus
climate.
Press Contact:
Tom Bauer
Director, NAU Office of Public Affairs
928-523-6126
[email protected]