The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced intentions to solicit and enter into a sole source contract with Fluoresentric, Inc. for botulinum toxin assays.
The CbotA (16,000Rxn) and Cbot A (50,000 Rxn) real-time PCR singleplex assays developed by the Fluoresentric, Inc. are noted to be the only assays that can be utilized with existing, validated platforms for detection of botulinum toxin genes.
“The PCR assays are required for support of federal, state, and local public health laboratories to detect Clostridium botulinum using existing protocols and platforms,” states the announcement. “In order to ensure that the assays perform as required, the assays must contain the identical oligonucleotide sequence and have the same specificity and sensitivity as that developed by Fluoresentric.”
Fluoresentric, Inc. is based in Park City, Utah.
The contract is on behalf of the CDC National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases (DFWED), Enteric Diseases Laboratory Branch (EDLB).
Editor’s Note: While the small-scale procurement of laboratory equipment or reagents is commonplace, we periodically cover these activities for insight into the research, acquisition and mission priorities of biodefense-relevant organizations.
