Pirbright partners with Italian research institute
Cutting edge diagnostic kits for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)will be produced by the Pirbright Institute and the leading Italian research institute for animal disease, IZSLER.
The institutes have signed an international partnership agreement, which is the latest development in a long-term collaboration.
Their joint programme of research is focused on the development of new diagnostic tools for virus diseases in animals.
Dr Michel de Baar, Pirbright's director of business development, said: "This important agreement combines the expertise of both institutes to produce future-proofed kits that are able to provide even more accurate and rapid diagnostics for those using them in the veterinary community.
"Our partnership will help to ensure improved diagnostics for FMD are easily available - not just in the UK and Europe, but across the rest of the world too."
IZSLER will manufacture the kits, which have been evaluated for excellent reliability and sensitivity. Kits will be sold by IZSLER, Pirbright and their distributors, with revenue being reinvested into animal disease research.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
