M. bovis plan on track
New Zealand's world-first Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme is making great strides but this isn't the time for complacency, says Ospri.
With this in mind, a New Zealand-based biotechnology company has launched what it describes as a 'groundbreaking' M. bovis test.
Pictor has launched its PicVet Mycoplasma bovis Multiplex ELISA Kit.
"After several years in development and following extensive internal and external validation studies, we are able to support farmers with a best-in-class test that has been extensively validated in nearly 5,000 samples - including bulk tank milk, serum, and individual milk specimens," Pictor managing director Jamie Platt says.
He adds that the company has completed rigorous internal and external validation trials in New Zealand and Australia before launching the test.
"In side-by-side studies with tests currently used in both Australia and NZ markets, our test has shown superior analytical performance, particularly in bulk tank milk which is typically used as the primary screening method," Platt explains.
Pictor's chief science officer at Pictor claims the PicVet Mycoplasma bovis Multiplex ELISA achieves superior performance by using three different antigens for detection, each optimised for the most commonly tested sample types.
"We believe that with the use of our M. bovis test, farmers and testing agencies could potentially eliminate individual animals rather than entire herds," he explains. "This approach not only reduces stress on farmers but also helps minimise costs associated with control programmes."
The manufacturing partner for the new test kits is South Pacific Sera based in Timaru. Pictor believes this represents a great New Zealand product and partnership success story in the biotech sector.
"South Pacific Sera is proud to apply its expertise and quality production systems to this Pictor project and the fight against M. bovis," says South Pacific Sera co-founder and production director William Rolleston.
The new kit is now available and being launched in multiple markets - including Australia, the USA, and New Zealand.
