Bruker Announces Acquisition of Field-Portable Platform for Fast and Universal Immunoassay-Detection of Bacteria, Viruses and Toxins

Bruker announced the closing of a technology platform and product line acquisition to further expand its range of bacterial, viral and toxin detection solutions for homeland security bio-detection and for selected microbiology applications.  Financial details were not disclosed.

The acquired assets include intellectual property, a field-portable, electrochemical chip-based detection instrument and associated consumable kits for on-site, fast identification of selected bacteria, viruses and toxins.

Detection and identification of up to 6 bio-threats per assay chip occurs typically within 20 minutes, with excellent sensitivities and without any prior culturing steps for bacteria.  The immunoassay kits, which Bruker now can offer for bio-detection and homeland security, include:

• Biothreat Test: Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella species, Burkholderia mallei/pseudomallei, Orthopox viruses (smallpox);
• Toxin Test I: Botulinum Toxins A, B, F; Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B; Ricin;
• Toxin Test II: Botulinum Toxin C, D, E; Staphylococcal Enterotoxin A; Abrin;

The acquired instrument platform, the portable Bio-Detector integrated (pBDi), is ready for immediate commercial launch.  Unlike other PCR-based field methods, the unique multiplex ELISA-based (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) detection with a novel electrochemical chip readout, allows rapid on-site identification of various bio-threats, including toxins, with very high sensitivity.

Developed for ease of use by non-scientific personnel, the pBDi can even be operated while working in protective gear under field conditions.  Fully portable and operating from internal batteries, the pBDi can be used in 'hot zones'.

Dr. Thomas Elssner, Bio-Detection Manager at the Bruker Detection division, commented: "We are very excited to offer the pBDi as an easy-to-use and robust detection system that was specifically designed for field applications, and which dramatically decreases the time and effort to assess the seriousness of bio-threat incidents.  Our new platform also allows the flexible development of new assays and consumables to address emerging threats."      

Dr. Wolfgang Pusch, Executive Vice President of Microbiology & Diagnostics at Bruker Daltonics, added: "The new pBDi system leverages our recently acquired capabilities in monoclonal antibody production to enable new, fieldable immunoassay workflows for fast toxin, viral and bacterial detection, in the future also in clinical and food microbiology.  The pBDi platform is a valuable expansion of our microbiology portfolio, consisting of the MALDI Biotyper for broad and fast microbial identification, the IR Biotyper for infection control workflows, and the Fungiplex and Carbaplex real-time PCR assays for rapid molecular testing."