EU CAPHIV Project: Early detection of HIV-1 using ultra-sensitive, rapid capacitive biosensor
The HIV pandemic is a worldwide public-health problem. At the end of 2008 there were an estimated 850 000 people infected with HIV in western and central Europe and 25 656 new cases were reported by the countries of the EU and EEA in 2008. The most commonly used and widely accessible diagnostic tests rely on the presence of HIV antibodies. Seroconversion, however, can take up to six months which prevents the early detection of the infection. Moreover, newborns cannot be tested with these methods due to maternal antibodies masking their true HIV status. The CAPHIV project aims at developing a quick and automatic biosensor that targets the detection of a protein produced in the early stages of the disease and not that of an antibody. The device is expected to diagnose the disease within two weeks of the infection. The applied technology is to reduce measurement time and reduce costs associated with HIV testing. The consortium guarantees complementary and synergistic business interests, ensuring a rapid and dynamic route of the technology to the market. The research activity of the Hungarian partner, MFKK Hungarian Invention and Research Centre Services Ltd., will be focused on the development of the cartridge designand production and system integration. Lund University Department of Biotechnology will adapt the previously developed the capacitive sensor for the CapHIV project and perform research regarding the characterization and immobilization of antibodies. The SMEs will be responsible for the creation of the technology push, being fully capacitated to manufacture the developed technology. Duration of the project: 1st of September, 2011- 31st of August, 2013 Participants: MFKK Hungarian Invention and Research Centre Ltd.. – Hungary Capsenze Handelsbolag – Sweden Phenosystems SA – Switzerland Lionex Gmbh – Germany ABBCN S.L. – Spain Fima Srl. – Italy Lund University– Sweden Project website: www.caphiv.eu
Countries
Belgium, Germany, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Sweden