UCT wins innovation award for ‘fast, efficient’ TB diagnostic tool

THE WORK of a UCT firm, which manufactured a rapid test for tuberculosis that occurs outside the lungs, has scooped a top award for its innovation.

Antrum Biotech, co-owned by the university, recently won the SA National Science and Technology Forum award in partnership with resources company South 32, for their innovation in developing the intergam rapid immuno suspension array (Irisa).

The award, which has been in existence since 1998, recognises outstanding contributions in science, engineering, technology and innovation.

The test, which is the company’s flagship project, had proved effective in diagnosing extrapulmonary forms of TB, regarded as notoriously difficult to detect.

It is also the only diagnostic tool to test non-pulmonary TB in the country. Not only is it “simpler and affordable”, but its speed means that TB can be detected in less than two hours – allowing patients to be started on treatment immediately.

Irisa has been described as a major breakthrough as current tests are either “insensitive or very slow”.

TB is regarded as one of the world’s deadliest diseases, with fatalities estimated at 1.5 million people each year. In South Africa it is described as the “number one killer”.

Even though it is often known as a disease of the lungs, up to half of TB cases in some countries are extra-pulmonary, meaning they affect other parts of the body.

People with weakened immune systems and the elderly are vulnerable to TB.

Khilona Radia, Antrum’s CEO, said the company was delighted to receive the award.

“Our aim is to develop products that will have a social impact and provide an African solution to an African problem. We hope this new test will help patients obtain the treatment they need for this terrible disease,” she said.

Professor Bongani Mayosi, head of the Department of Medicine where Antrum is based, said the innovation of the UCT company illustrated “commitment to the full innovation cycle of discovery, development, and dissemination of research findings for public good”.

“We need to overcome the innovation chasm in which a lot of research papers are published, but very few translate to social benefits. We look forward to many more Antrums developing from the host of other research endeavours,” Professor Mayosi said.