Rockeby Biomed Awarded 750,000 Dolars Of Grants By Singapore Government For Influenza And Bird Flu Research, Singapore

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Respiratory / Asthma;  Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Article Date: 29 Oct 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Australia-listed, Singapore-based healthcare group, Rockeby biomed Ltd (ASX:RBY), today announced that it has been awarded two grants by the Singaporean Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING Singapore) under the Technology Enterprise Commercialisation Scheme (TECS). The first grant of S$250,000 awarded under Proof of Concept (POC) is for the development of a magnetic detection platform for influenza A, including avian flu, while the second grant of S$500,000 is awarded under Proof of Value (POV), to upscale the production of a rapid and sensitive test incorporating fluorescence technology for the field diagnosis of influenza A, including avian flu.

The letters of offer were presented to Dr. Tan Sze Wee, Managing Director and CEO of Rockeby biomed at the TECS award ceremony today.

The POC project is planned to take one year. After which, the platform will give Rockeby a unique patent protected technology that can also be applied to human seasonal influenza. Under the Proof of Value, the project is planned to take two years. The platform can then be expanded to other infectious disease tests such as Chlamydia, Dengue, Hand, Foot & Mouth. Both projects that have been approved for funding by TECS work towards the development of faster and more sensitive tests for influenza A including avian flu, which have been subjected to fears of pandemics worldwide.

Under POC, proposals were assessed on their technicality feasibility and commercial potential while POV is for applicants keen to further R&D developments on proprietary technology projects, including the development of working prototypes. Rockeby biomed has been granted the maximum funding of S$250,000 and S$500,000 respectively for each project.

Dr. Tan said: "We are pleased to have been able to participate in the inaugural call for applications by the SPRING TECS programme, and proud to have two applications formally approved by the committee. We believe that the programme will help to develop innovation among technology-driven small and medium enterprises in Singapore, and provide Singapore with the competitive advantage going forward."

About Rockeby biomed

Rockeby biomed Limited is a Singapore-based, ASX-listed (ASX: RBY) healthcare company specialising in research, development and marketing of rapid testing technologies for infectious disease in humans and animals and lifestyle health products including CanDia5®, Avian Influenza Virus test kits and Pepp®. The company currently has products that do rapid testing for diseases such as the Avian Flu, HIV, Vulvovaginal Candidiasis and Systemic Candidiasis. For more information, visit http://www.rockeby.com.

About SPRING Singapore

SPRING Singapore is the enterprise development agency for growing innovative companies and fostering a competitive SME sector in Singapore. It works with partners to help enterprises in financing, capabilities and management development, technology and innovation, and access to markets. As the Singaporean national standards and accreditation body, SPRING also develops and promotes internationally-recognised standards and quality assurance to enhance competitiveness and facilitate trade. TECS was established this year by SPRING Singapore to provide vital support and resources for start ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to develop prototypes for commercialisation.

SPRING Singapore

Source
Davinia Khong
Monsoon Communications
Level 1 350 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
http://www.monsoon.com.au

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