Key Takeaways:
- Alveo Technologies launches the Alveo Sense Avian Influenza Test for rapid, field-based detection of avian flu.
- Partnership with Royal GD and x-OvO supports market rollout in the EU, with planned expansion across EMEA.
- Decentralized testing approach offers faster results, potentially aiding outbreak response and containment.
- Alveo appoints new Chief Commercial Officer to drive expansion efforts.
Alveo Enters Animal Health with New Diagnostic Tool
Alveo Technologies, Inc., a company specializing in decentralized molecular diagnostics, recently introduced its first animal health product, the Alveo Sense Avian Influenza Test. This launch represents the company’s entry into the animal health diagnostics sector, providing poultry producers with a field-based, rapid diagnostic solution.
The test will initially reach early-access customers across the European Union through a partnership with the Netherlands-based Royal GD and UK-based x-OvO. Further expansion into the EMEA region is planned. Royal GD’s Wim Kieftenbeld described the product as “the first rapid molecular test that can be used at the point of need,” highlighting the utility of quick and accessible testing in the field.
Decentralized Testing for Faster Detection
The Alveo Sense Avian Influenza Test uses Alveo’s IntelliSense™ platform, offering a decentralized alternative to traditional laboratory testing for avian flu. The test can identify and differentiate avian influenza strains, including Type A, H5, and H7 or H9, directly at the point of need.
Traditional diagnostic methods require sample transport to centralized labs, which can delay results significantly. In contrast, Alveo’s test processes cloacal and oropharyngeal samples in the field, with results available within 30 to 45 minutes. The test results are then uploaded to Alveo’s secure Alveo Vista™ portal, providing geotagged, cloud-based data accessible by public health authorities.
To support this expansion, Alveo has appointed Chris Cowen, formerly VP of Global Commercial Operations at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Genetic Sciences Division, as Chief Commercial Officer. Cowen’s experience will help drive Alveo’s global sales, marketing, and distribution efforts, aligning with the company’s plans to expand into the animal health market.
Addressing Avian Influenza Challenges
The Alveo Sense Avian Influenza Test launch comes amid growing concerns about avian flu, which, according to USDA reports, has affected over 103 million birds in the U.S. alone since 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that avian flu has been detected in at least 48 mammalian species, raising concerns about the virus’s potential to evolve and spread.
“x-OvO Limited has focused on the subject of avian RNA virus diagnostics for 17 years,” said Richard Currie, President of x-OvO, adding that the platform’s flexibility and adaptability were major factors in the partnership with Alveo. The test covers multiple viral targets, providing a broader detection capability than single-reaction PCR tests.
By decentralizing testing and making results available in real-time through its cloud-based portal, Alveo aims to support timely response and containment measures. The Alveo Sense Avian Influenza Test’s ability to geotag results could help authorities monitor and mitigate trade disruptions related to avian influenza outbreaks.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Molecular Diagnostics in Animal Health
Alveo’s entry into the animal health sector marks a shift in its focus beyond human health applications. Shaun Holt, CEO of Alveo Technologies, remarked that the partnership with Royal GD and x-OvO aligns with the company’s goal of advancing accessible, molecular testing solutions across agriculture and animal health.
Alveo Technologies Latest News
Spearheading Innovations in Molecular Diagnostics (2024/02/29)
Alveo Technologies, Inc. has developed a platform that integrates advanced molecular assays with cloud-enabled data analytics for rapid and precise diagnostics. The platform enables the detection and analysis of diseases, pathogens, and contaminants. Alveo’s CEO, Shaun Holt, emphasizes the platform’s significance in healthcare and beyond. In 2023, Alveo established an open platform approach, extending its technology’s application beyond human health. This led to collaborations with Corteva Agriscience and the Fraunhofer Institute to tackle global health challenges. Alveo plans to expand its impact through additional partnerships and the development of new diagnostic tests.
New Collaboration To Address Avian Influenza (2024/01/10)
Alveo Technologies has partnered with x-OvO, Royal GD, and Pharmsure International Ltd. to develop advanced diagnostic tools for avian flu. The focus is on creating a multiplex panel for detecting various strains of avian influenza using Alveo’s LAMP technology, which facilitates on-site, real-time testing. This development is expected to significantly impact the poultry industry by providing a tool for rapid response to disease outbreaks, mitigating the spread of avian flu, and reducing associated economic and animal welfare impacts.
Alveo Technologies and Corteva Agriscience Partner (2023/10/25)
Alveo Technologies and Corteva Agriscience are collaborating to bring molecular sensing and disease diagnostics technology to the agricultural industry. Alveo’s portable medical-grade tool will empower farmers with real-time disease and pathogen detection capabilities in the fields. Corteva aims to create crop-tailored assays for immediate pathogen detection. The comprehensive utilization of Alveo’s be.well™ platform is central to this partnership. This collaboration is a testament to agricultural technology’s future and heralds a brighter, more sustainable agricultural horizon.
Partners with Fraunhofer IZI to Extend Diagnostic Solutions to Livestock Testing (2023/07/12)
Alveo’s be.well™ platform employs molecular assays and cloud-enabled data analytics for detecting diseases, pathogens, and contaminants. Its loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method enables direct electrical sensing of nucleic acid amplification. The company collaborates with Fraunhofer IZI to co-develop veterinary assays, and also partners with agricultural sector leaders to design crop- and animal-specific assays for real-time pathogen detection. Its mission is to deliver affordable molecular diagnostics for better healthcare access, food security, and pandemic prevention.
