The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in collaboration with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), will unveil a new point-of-care diagnostic device to detect avian influenza (bird flu) and foot-and-mouth disease. The launch will take place on Wednesday, 4 December 2024, which will be the first day of the Science Forum 2024 (4 - 6 December 2024).

This CSIR developed, funded by TIA, will address outbreaks of these diseases on farms.  

The introduction and implementation of cutting-edge technologies, such as point-of-care devices for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and avian influenza (AIV), are critical in addressing South Africa’s long-standing challenges in managing notifiable and reportable diseases. These issues have persisted for years but the recent outbreaks of FMD have highlighted and exacerbated the challenges faced by farmers.

The technology has been licensed to a local company, TokaBio for commercialisation.

The launch, scheduled for Wednesday, 4 December 2024, will take place at the CSIR International Convention Centre.

Members of the media are invited as follows:

Date: 4 December 2024
Time: 15h00
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre (Exhibition stand EH9)

RSVP and enquiries:

Phetolo Phatsibi, CSIR Media Practitioner
Email: PPhatsibi@csir.co.za
Mobile: 0813968871

Kagiso Ntanga
Email: kagiso.ntanga@tia.org.za
Mobile: 0828089180

About the CSIR:

The CSIR, an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za.

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About TIA

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) is a public entity in South Africa that serves as the key institutional intervention to bridge the innovation chasm (gap) between research and development from higher education institutions, science councils, public entities, and private sector, and commercialisation (beneficiation). TIA was established in 2010 and has a national reach with offices in KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape and Gauteng. The main thrust of the mandate of TIA is funding and supporting innovative technologies that show potential to be commercialised. The organisation also has programmes that provide non-financial support to innovators and SMMEs. Lastly, TIA is a catalyst and enabler of innovation through various partnership initiatives locally, in the African continent and globally. For more information, visit www.tia.org.za

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