Mobile phones could be used to detect diseases

Jun 4 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

MOBILE phones could soon be used to detect diseases, if a partnership between a North East fledgling and a Japanese giant bears fruit.

Newcastle’s Orla Protein Technologies is developing a microchip which can analyse swabs or blood tests and can be incorporated into a mobile phone or other mobile device.

The technology, which is expected to be market-ready by 2014, is being developed in collaboration with Asian electronics empire Japan Radio Company.

And, if it proves successful, a new joint venture could be set up as an independent business, possibly in the North East.

Orla has already attracted interest in the technology from large pharmaceutical and diagnostics players as well as consumer goods firms.

It would allow vital test samples to be instantly sent to doctors, cutting out waiting time for laboratory results and allowing for immediate diagnosis.

The project will tap into technology which is already present in some mobile phones and is used to filter out certain frequencies.

The company cites the current swine flu outbreak as a prime example of when it could have been used.

Holidaymakers returning from Mexico in April, when the virus’s spread began to gather pace, could have been instantly tested on the spot at airports for traces of the disease.

The project is the culmination of four years collaborative work between Orla and Japan Radio since the two firms met at a nanotechnology event and decided to join forces, combining Orla’s bioscience expertise with the Japanese group’s electronics knowledge.

Orla’s chief executive, Dr Dale Athey, said: “Japan Radio didn’t have the bio expertise and the technology that we bring in terms of manufacturing the device so it was a good partnership and we both brought quite a lot to the table.

“We are exploring the best ways to take it forward – one option may be to spin it out as a new venture.

“We are talking one or two years before there’s a viable working prototype that we can sell to people. I think overall it’s five years away.

“This is a global opportunity, it’s worldwide, particularly in the US.”

Last month Orla received £700,000 in government investment to support its work in developing technology to help protect the world from future flu pandemics.

It is working on the project in partnership with Newcastle University, The Health Protection Agency (HPA), Regional Technology Centre North, and Newcastle-based antibody manufacturer Viratom.

Overall it’s five years away . . . this is a global opportunity, it’s worldwide