Validation a new molecular diagnostic for drug resistant tuberculosis

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated a new molecular test developed in collaboration with a researcher at the Institut Pasteur in Lille to diagnose extensive antibiotic resistance in the tuberculosis causing agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis still affects millions of people around the world. Multi-resistance to anti-tuberculosis drugs is a major problem.

The group led by Dr Philip Supply at the Lille Centre for Infection and Immunity (Inserm / CNRS / Université de Lille / CHU de Lille / Institut Pasteur de Lille) has been studying this phenomenon for many years. This researcher has worked with GENOSCREEN, a pioneering French DNA sequencing company based on the Pasteur Lille Campus, to design and develop a molecular diagnostic assay for culture-free detection of tuberculosis drug resistance based on a next generation sequencing technique. Capable of detecting resistance to 15 antibiotics in a single test, and marketed as a kit in over 30 countries, this new technology has proved its effectiveness. The WHO recently published an announcement recommending the use of this new tool to help eradicate the global tuberculosis epidemic.

This is a fine example of collaboration between academic research and a biotechnology company.