Consortium Agreement Signed for the Horizon 2020 ERA-NET Cofund ICRAD Project “POC4AIV”
On June 1, 2023, the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR” signed a consortium agreement for the implementation of the Horizon 2020 ERA-NET Cofund ICRAD project proposal “Preventing zoonoses by screening Avian Influenza Virus (AIV) in wildlife birds and poultry using a novel rapid point of care system” (POC4AIV). On June 13, 2023, a grant agreement was signed with the Latvian Council of Science for the support of the project execution.
POC4AIV is an interdisciplinary research project aimed primarily at the early diagnosis of zoonotic avian influenza, thereby helping to prevent its spread.
Within the project, a fluorescence-based point of care instrument (fPOC) will be developed for rapid (15–30 minutes) detection of the avian influenza virus in poultry and wild birds.
The greatest potential and benefit of the POC system lie in its ability to quickly diagnose infectious diseases under field conditions, ensuring rapid delivery of results to initiate disease containment measures more promptly when necessary.
Project Objectives and Tasks:
- Development and manufacturing of the POC (point of care) system for avian influenza diagnostics.
- Validation of the POC system for laboratory and field use:
- Testing various sample types for avian influenza;
- Whole-genome sequencing of positive samples.
- Commercialization of the POC device – official approval and marketing.
Funding and Timeline:
- Budget: 100% state funding allocated in the amount of EUR 196,589.
- Implementation Period: April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026.
Information prepared: April 1, 2023
