swine flu?, page-13

if you read last year's report that the company received singapore government grants to develop new flu tests. this new tests which is for flu a detection may also play an important role in the current outbreak.

ROCKEBY BIOMED AWARDED S$750,000 OF GRANTS BY SINGAPORE
GOVERNMENT FOR INFLUENZA AND BIRD FLU RESEARCH
Highlights
- Under TECS, Rockeby biomed is the only company to be awarded both
Proof of Concept and Proof of Value grants this year
- Total Grant awarded S$750,000 (A$800,000)
29 October 2008 – 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.”
-END