rby - wins singapore govt tender for bird flu test

Singapore & Sydney: 13 March 2006 Rockeby Biomed (ASX: RBY) has today announced that it has won a tender with the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore to supply its rapid test for the detection of avian flu.

The tender involves the initial supply of 1000 Avian Influenza Virus Antigen test kits to detect the presence of H5N1 infection, also known as the avian or bird flu. The price of the contract is confidential at the request of the AVA.

"Singapore currently imports 115,000 chickens, 20,000 ducks and 2 million eggs daily from Malaysia, all of which are screened at a sampling rate of 2.5% for disease, which includes a battery of test such as rapid test, PCR test and viral cultures” said Dr Sze Wee Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Rockeby. “The AVA has a very high standing in the region and whilst the initial contract size is not large, it supports the demand for improved rapid testing.”

Rockeby is experiencing consistent interest and demand for its Avian Influenza Virus Antigen rapid test as the bird flu spreads threatening the poultry industry worldwide.

Recent reports also confirm the spread of the virus to felines with two cats on a Baltic island discovered to be infected with H5N1.

The discovery will broaden the market for Rockeby with the Avian Influenza Virus Antigen test kits proven suitable for use in cats to test for the presence of H5N1
infection.

"We have been quick to move on this new development to make inroads into the pet market," Dr Tan said.

"We have developed instructions to assist veterinarians in obtaining a sample from the nose or windpipe of conscious or anaesthetized cats, respectively."

To date, there is no evidence that domestic cats are involved