Prionics: Favourable Assessment of BOVIGAM® Tuberculosis Test in Europe

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• Publié par: Prionics-AG
• Nombre de lectures: 11
• Langue: English

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Prionics: Favourable Assessment of BOVIGAM® Tuberculosis Test in Europe

PR Newswire SCHLIEREN-ZURICH, Switzerland, December 27, 2012

SCHLIEREN-ZURICH, Switzerland,December 27, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

TheEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA)hasreviewedfield performance data of theBOVIGAM®Interferon-γ(IFN-γ)test and recommends IFN-γtestsfor inclusion in theofficiallist ofstand- alonetests for bovine tuberculosis (TB).BOVIGAM®iscurrentlywidely used as asupplementary test to complement skin testing.Prionicstrusts that thepositiveEFSA opinionwill soonlead to the use of BOVIGAM®asastand-aloneTB test in the EuropeanUnion.

In its scientific opinion*, the EFSA evaluated a large set of data generated using the BOVIGAM® IFN-γtest as part of the EU TB surveillance. Based on these data, the EFSA concluded that the PPD-based IFN-γtest fulfilled the criteria of being equivalent or superior to skin tests and therefore can be considered for stand-alone testing for TB. The EFSA also discussed a further boosted performance of the test using alternative antigens. Prionics currently offers its BOVIGAM® IFN-γtest both with PPD as well as the alternative antigens (Prionics® PC-EC and PC-HP).

BOVIGAM® is currently used as a supplementary test to complement skin testing in the EU. Elevating the status of the IFN-γtest to an official test in the EU legislation means that BOVIGAM® can be used for stand-alone TB diagnosis, equivalent to the skin test. The IFN-γtest is the only new test recommended by the EFSA. None of the other proposed tests should be considered for inclusion in the official tests for the purpose of granting and retaining official TB-free herd status and for certification for intra-Union trade of bovine animals.

Practical advantages of BOVIGAM®

The EFSA stated that the application of the IFN-γtest offers several practical advantages over the skin test. According to the EFSA, the test is robust and easy to standardize, and has a beneficial impact on workload, safety of personnel and animal welfare.

About Prionics

Prionics AG, based in Zurich, Switzerland, is a leading provider of farm animal diagnostics. Prionics produces and markets innovative diagnostic solutions for major farm animal diseases, aiding in the protection of consumer health. With the acquisition of the tuberculin unit of Lelystad Biologicals B.V., in 2009, Prionics is the largest supplier of bovine tuberculosis diagnostic products.

th Prionics is the main sponsor of the 16International Symposium of the World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians in Berlin June 5-8, 2013.

*EFSA Journal 2012;10(12):2975

For more information please visithttp://www.prionics.com/tuberculosisorcontact: Marjan van der Haar, PhD Marketing Communications Tel. : [phone] Email:[e-mail]