VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb 18, 2016) - Response Biomedical Corp. (“Response” or “the Company”) (RBM.TO)(RPBIF) launched the RAMP® Dengue Environmental test at the American Mosquito Control Association (AMCA) annual general meeting in Savannah, Georgia. The RAMP® Dengue test is a rapid, quantitative test for detection of Dengue antigen in mosquitoes that transmit Dengue virus, a member of the Flavivirus genus that includes West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Yellow Fever Virus and Japanese Encephalitis Virus.
The RAMP® Dengue test can detect the presence of all four strains of the Dengue virus in mosquitoes. Data presented at the AMCA meeting indicated the test is highly sensitive and specific for the detection of Dengue antigen. In an independent evaluation of the technology, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented data showing the RAMP® Dengue test could detect a single positive infected mosquito in a pool of 25 for each of the four types of the Dengue virus, gave no false positives with non-infected mosquitoes and did not cross-react with other Flaviviruses (unpublished data).
The RAMP® Dengue test is the first quantitative, protein-based detection assay available for mosquito surveillance agencies and health departments to detect the presence of this deadly virus. The Dengue test, along with a similar RAMP® Environmental test for West Nile Virus, is available worldwide and sold in the United States, Latin America and the Middle East by ADAPCO, a member of the Azelis Americas group of companies. Steve Burt, President of ADAPCO said “RAMP® Environmental tests bring reassurance to those who feel threatened by these diseases and provide an actionable early warning system to government and regional agencies. This is the first line of defense against these emerging threats and we are pleased to offer our customers a solution to enhance their mosquito control efforts and public health campaigns.” ADAPCO is the world’s largest distributor of innovative products for the professional mosquito control industry and has marketed the RAMP® West Nile Virus test to be the number one antigen detection system in North America.
“The expansion of the RAMP® Environmental line to include a rapid test for Dengue strengthens the position of Response as an expert in the detection of life-threatening viruses that use mosquitoes as their mode of transmission,” said Dr. Barbara Kinnaird, Chief Executive Officer of Response. “This new test allows Response to expand its environmental testing sales into the Southern Hemisphere and new territories where mosquito borne Dengue virus is becoming an increased threat,” noted Dr. Kinnaird.
Dengue virus is a global concern, infecting an estimated 400 million people each year in over 100 countries, resulting in approximately 100 million cases of Dengue fever, a severe flu-like illness1. Complications from the disease result in approximately 20,000 deaths each year and are a leading cause of hospitalization and death in tropical areas1,2. A recent outbreak in Hawaii has affected 254 people, prompting the Hawaii Department of Health to issue a notice3. While development efforts are ongoing, there is currently no vaccine to protect against the Dengue virus and there is no specific treatment for Dengue fever. Control of vector mosquito populations is currently the only means of preventing the spread of Dengue1.
About Response Biomedical Corp.
Response develops, manufactures and markets rapid on-site diagnostic tests for use with its RAMP® platform for clinical, biodefense and environmental applications. RAMP® represents a unique paradigm in diagnostics that provides reliable, quality results in minutes. The RAMP® platform consists of a reader and single-use disposable test cartridges and has the potential to be adapted to any medical and non-medical immunoassay based test currently performed in laboratories. Response clinical tests are commercially available for the aid in early detection of heart attack, congestive heart failure, bacterial sepsis, thromboembolism, influenza A and B and RSV. In the non-clinical market, RAMP® tests are currently available for the environmental detection of West Nile Virus and Dengue Fever antigen and for Biodefense applications including the rapid on-site detection of anthrax, smallpox, ricin and botulinum toxin. Response is a publicly traded company listed on the TSX under the trading symbol “RBM” and quoted on the OTC under the symbol “RPBIF”. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.responsebio.com.
About Adapco
ADAPCO is the world’s largest distributor to the professional mosquito control industry, with a vast line of products from over 25 well respected manufacturers. ADAPCO takes pride in partnering with suppliers that are dedicated to improving the mosquito control industry through research and new product development, resulting in a wide range of the best quality products available for mosquito control. For further information, please visit the Company’s website at www.myadapco.com.