GSK, Enigma sign pact to develop & supply point-of-care diagnostic influenza tests

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Enigma Diagnostics Limited have signed worldwide agreements to develop and supply the first point-of-care diagnostic influenza tests to identify specific influenza virus strains using its real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology platform, the Enigma ML (Mini Laboratory).

The partnership will enable GSK and Enigma to develop the Enigma ML to deliver fully-automated results from swab samples in less than 60 minutes at the point of care and to the same accuracy standards as reference laboratories. This will mean that patients can be tested for specific influenza subtypes in the community and receive appropriate treatment rapidly. Currently the existing network of government diagnostic laboratories, staffed by specialist operators, can often take several days before the results of tests are known. Operators of the Enigma ML system will not require specialist training.