Alliance to Develop Tests for Lead

In a move designed to result in the development of new products to detect lead and remove lead, ECI Biotech (Worcester, MA, USA) has agreed to license use of its protein technologies to ESA, Inc. (Chelmsford, MA, USA). ECI's protein-binding technology binds lead in water in less than a second and does not require any harsh chemicals.

The agreement will allow ESA to use ECI's technology to improve the sensitivity of blood tests for lead and to develop new, rapid, point-of-care diagnostics. These products, say ESA, will provide simple and rapid tests for the diagnosis of lead poisoning in humans, a condition that affects almost 900,000 children in the United States alone. ESA uses basic electrochemistry to detect harmful materials in the environment, while ECI is engaged in protein design and expression. ECI's product pipeline includes a diagnostic kit for detecting Listeria monocytogenes and wound-care systems designed to provide early warning of emergent infections.

"ESA has 34 years of experience in this field. We believe our knowledge of the market coupled with ECI's expertise in protein formulation will bring lead detection products to new levels of sensitivity and ease of use,” said Walter DiGiusto, CEO and president of ESA.




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