Qiagen to provide animal disease testing devices for UN project

Qiagen has been selected by the UN to help fight infectious animal diseases with the supply of molecular testing devices.

The company will provide portable instruments known as ESE-Quant Tube Scanners for a pilot scheme run by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

According to Qiagen, the point-of-need detection systems will be used by health authorities in 35 emerging countries across Africa, Asia and South America as part of the project.

The three-year pilot is set to examine testing systems for diseases such as avian flu in poultry and contagious bovine pleuro-pneumonia, also known as lung plague, in cattle.

"Particularly in less developed countries, point-of-need testing can play a crucial role since these devices can be adapted to local healthcare and agricultural needs," explained Dr Konrad Faulstich, director of strategic alliances at Qiagen.

Earlier this month, Qiagen reported net sales of $274.3 million (175.2 million pounds) for the third quarter of 2010, up six percent on the corresponding period last year.