OKC company to jointly develop instant image-based detection system

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An Oklahoma City-based viral disease management company has signed a letter of intent with the Polaroid Corp. to jointly develop an ultra-sensitive, instant image-based platform detection system, the company announced.

ZymeTx Inc. said Tuesday that the system will initially target the rapid diagnosis of influenza, with followup applications to other viral diseases.

"This strategic alliance combines Polaroid's world-renowned resources and capabilities involving instant imaging and camera technology with the innovative viral detection technology of ZymeTx," said Norman Prolux, president and chief executive officer of the company.

ZymeTx has been working with Polaroid on development of the application for several years, Prolux said.

The new platform technology will initially be directed toward a more sensitive, rapid and simple test for the flu, ZymeTx officials said.

Other applications will be developed using the same platform for the rapid detection of such viruses as respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, parainfluenza virus and herpes virus, among others.

ZymeTx developed ZstatFlu, the first rapid point-of-care test capable of detecting both Influenza A and B. It also developed the National Flu Surveillance Network, or NFSN, which is comprised of physician sites across that country that use ZstatFlu to track influenza in their communities.

------ More information about ZymeTx can be found at www.zymetx.com and www.fluwatch.com,