FDA Clears Idaho Technology-Developed Q Fever Test

SALT LAKE CITY – This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first nucleic acid amplification In vitro diagnostic (IVD) test that detects Coxiella burnetii, the bacteria that causes Q fever. The test developed by Idaho Technology, Inc. (ITI) will be used to test military personnel suspected of contracting the disease and run on the Joint Biological Agent Identification and Diagnostics System (JBAIDS), utilized across all branches of the military for diagnostic testing. Use of the test is limited to designated Department of Defense laboratories equipped with the JBAIDS.

Q fever is an emerging infectious disease among U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq and other countries around the globe. The disease is usually transmitted to humans after contact with infected animals or exposure to contaminated environments. The bacteria is extremely hardy and resistant to heat, drying and many common disinfectants which can enable it to survive for very long periods in the environment. Early detection and identification of the bacteria will enable faster treatment and recovery.

“We are very pleased that the JBAIDS capability continues to evolve. Q fever marks the fifth FDA-approved JBAIDS assay kit with many more in the pipeline and expected out soon,” said Kirk Ririe, chief executive officer of ITI.

About Idaho Technology

Idaho Technology, Inc. is a privately held biotechnology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 1990, Idaho Technology licensed the rapid PCR technology from the University of Utah. Through funds from the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense, the company has created many commercial instruments and reagents for use in research and applied fields. Several of these products, including the LightCycler® Instrument, have been sublicensed to Roche Diagnostics. Researchers, medical technicians, law enforcement officers, and soldiers in the field use the company’s devices to detect or study disease-causing organisms. For further information, please visit www.idahotech.com.

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