BioDtech Signs Worldwide Licensing Agreement for New Technology to Quickly Detect and Remove Bacterial Toxins

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- BioDtech, Inc. has announced its exclusive worldwide agreement with the National University of Singapore (NUS) for the use and further development of new technology that will quickly detect, neutralize and remove endotoxin. Endotoxin is a potent fever producing compound associated with the physiological symptoms of bacterial infections which cost the healthcare industry over $17 billion annually.

BioDtech officials point out that this exceptional new technology will have very important advantages over current methods: it is more specific in its detection of endotoxin, and greatly reduces false-negative or false-positive readings. In addition, it reads information at a faster rate than current technologies which are more time consuming to operate, costly to purchase, and require extensive training to operate.

This technology could also assist in the rapid detection of bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella, quickly detect endotoxin in the home attributed to respiratory disease, and in the workplace. The National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety may establish and regulate acceptable levels of endotoxin for the workplace in the near future. With the ever present threat of terrorism, officials say this technology could become a major asset in the detection of bacteria used in biomedical warfare.

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration requires that all injectable drugs and implantable medical devices be measured for endotoxin. In hospital emergency rooms, this rapid, user-friendly endotoxin measurement technology could facilitate early diagnosis of sepsis, thus greatly improve on the current 28 percent death rate. Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by an overwhelming systemic response to infection, which can rapidly lead to organ dysfunction and ultimately death. Severe sepsis strikes hard and takes lives quickly. More than 750,000 cases of severe sepsis occur annually in the U.S. causing the death of 215,000 people. The hospital cost of treating patients with severe sepsis in the U.S. is approximately $17 billion each year. In addition, BioDtech will investigate the use of its technology to treat microbial infections associated with cystic fibrosis and AIDS.

"We are very excited to be licensing partners with NUS, helping to advance our company's detection platform," said Michael Pepe, PhD, president and CEO of BioDtech. "This licensing agreement will allow us to develop novel products for medical, diagnostic and industrial uses. Our products will permit the direct detection and identification of biological toxins, resulting in faster, simpler and more accurate measurements. Future applications of this promising technology range from other infectious disease detection to possible applications for Homeland Security.

"I anticipate that BioDtech will pursue a vigorous research and development program that will move the invention from a prototype to production phase within three to six months," said Pepe. "When delivered these products will be an enhancement to those currently available in the marketplace."

Source: BioDtech