BSE Diagnostic Test
We licensed our intellectual property in the diagnosis of prion diseases in animals to Enfer Scientific Limited in 1996. Enfer developed a high through-put test incorporating our antibody technology, for the post-mortem detection of prions such as BSE, in cattle carcasses (brain and spinal column tissue). This diagnostic test kit is approved for use in Europe, Japan and the US. Enfer's test was validated in an EU study undertaken in 1999 as having 100% accuracy in detecting BSE in samples from known affected animals and was also found to be the fastest of the tests evaluated.
In Ireland, Enfer has established a dedicated laboratory, and logistical support, to provide a testing service on beef carcasses in the slaughterhouse prior to release into the food chain. The test is also available outside Ireland in a kit through Enfer's distribution partner Abbott Laboratories, a leading global diagnostic company, and was approved for sale in the US by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 2004. We receive royalty payments from Enfer on the worldwide sales of the test kit.
Enfer has developed an improved diagnostic test kit which was approved in Europe in February 2005. This new kit also exploits our intellectual property and is subject to the same royalty terms are the original diagnostic test kit.