Biotangents are designing the next generation of molecular diagnostics for animal health. Our isothermal amplification technology detects specific genetic markers of a particular disease in a way that, unlike traditional gene detection technologies, can be automated in a simple manner to facilitate in-clinic/on-farm diagnostic testing for infectious diseases. The adaptability of the platform technology allows the rapid development of diagnostic assays for new disease targets to rapidly expand our diagnostic product portfolio. This is aided by our proprietary diagnostic target identification and synthetic biology design processes that are powered by innovative bioinformatics and machine learning approaches. We are developing a new class of product for identifying the causes of mastitis (inflammation of the udder) on the farm, through the detection of genetic sequences specific to the most common bacteria that cause the disease. Mastitis is the most costly disease of dairy cattle globally and reduces the sustainability of the dairy industry. The lack of rapid and reliable diagnostics on the farm and in the veterinary practice contributes to the overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming due to the need to treat animals based on symptoms alone. Our solution, AmpliSpec(tm) VET Mastitis, will facilitate more effective and timely remedial intervention by vets and farmers than current diagnostics methods, which require a multi-day wait for milk samples to be analysed in a central diagnostic laboratory. It will ensure that antibiotics are only utilised when absolutely necessary and the most appropriate antibiotic is selected for the best outcome. This is critical as the demand for dairy products to provide protein increases. More effective treatment of mastitis will result in more efficient production and enhanced sustainability as well as improved welfare standards while supporting the drive towards net zero emissions by 2050. An Innovation Loan will allow us to work with a leading UK medical device design company over 12 months to take our product concept through to a final device prototype evaluated by our target customers (vets and farmers) and ready for manufacture. Beyond mastitis, the product, supported by the flexibility of our isothermal amplification technology, will be adapted for different veterinary diseases (e.g. bovine respiratory disease and calf scour) and has applications in human medical diagnostics and environmental testing. We are already in discussion with global animal health players exploring future applications and are progressing towards a feasibility trial for a solution to overcome a key unmet need within the livestock sector.

To develop a novel, prototype electrochemical sensing device for use veterinary diagnostics.

This project supports Biotangents (Penicuik), IceRobotics (Edinburgh) and Cranfield Univeristy in developing an advanced pen-side diagnostic test for brucellosis, a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects livestock and poses an additional and significant threat to humans as a zoonotic disease. While Great Britain is officially brucellosis free, prevalence of the disease has been increasing in China in both animals and humans in recent years. Efficacy of antibiotics to treat brucellosis is variable. Biotangents will develop an accurate pen- side test to facilitate the identification of infected animals and allow the spread of the disease in livestock populations to be better controlled and the risk of transmission to humans, and subsequent demand for antibiotics for treatment, to be reduced. This will be tested in China alongside IceRobotics' behavioural monitoring platform that is able to monitor individual animal health status and shortlist those that may have acquired the disease.

Livestock provide an invaluable source of protein to developing nations. In Africa, livestock also play a crucial role in developing economies with 80% of farmland being managed by small-holding farms (FAO, 2008). Outbreak of disease can have a catastrophic impact to African farmers, having both financial and nutritional consequences. A UK-Kenyan consortium has been formed to tackle Contagious Bovine/Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP/CCPP) - a highly contagious disease causing the suffering and mortality of cattle and goats in developing countries. The aim of this project is to develop a new diagnostic test which will allow for early detection of infected animals to prevent further disease spread throughout the herd. The consortium is composed of CIEL; an UK Agri-tech centre of livestock research excellence, Sidai; a social enterprise company based in Kenya who aim to provide livestock centres of excellence and Biotangents; a UK start-up company with exciting new diagnostic technologies to facilitate early detection of disease causing microbes. The funding of this project will allow crucial work to take place to develop an early stage prototype, which if successful, will be further funded by private investment.

A sector-specific external expert would aid us in analysing and validating the commercial potential of our selected chemical compounds and/or nominate alternative compounds of interest. We would look for support in developing a wider appreciation of the F&F/C&T marketplace, its unique dynamics and the regulatory and quality landscape. Finally, we would seek to leverage the expert’s networks so as to identify, engage and gather feedback with potential commercial partners from the outset.