AN awardwinning diagnostics company from York could save thousands of lives worldwide should a more virulent form of bird flu become a pandemic.

Forsite Diagnostics, a private spinout from Fera, the government’s Food and Environment Research Agency in Sand Hutton, has perfected quick-test technology to identify human symptoms of avian influenza down to the strain of virus affecting the patient.

It is but one application of Forsite Diagnostics’ Nucleic Acid Natural Flow Test – adapting the technology of pregnancy testing and DNA forensic testing to detection of all kinds of diseases, including malaria for which versions are being tested in Asia and Africa.

Recognising the influence and inspiration of nucleic acid analysis work carried out by Fera, the 15-person firm is now pitching for the Best Link with Higher Education Award in The Press Business Awards 2010.

The intense relationship between Fera and Forsite Diagnostics is no accident. It was formed by Dr Chris Danks in 2007 when Fera took the rare step of spinning out an independent business to pursue the wider market opportunities for diagnostics.

Soon tomato growers in India were singing the praises of the innovative company, using its test kits to diagnose whether their tomato crops were being hit by blight.

Its pocket diagnostic tests detect a range of more than 20 viral, fungal and bacterial diseases in plants and are used by growers to make crop management decisions.

Nowadays the company concentrates largely on the health care sector, using saliva, urine and blood tests to detect a wide range of diseases, including Peptest, which it developed with RD Biomed of Hull to find indications of acid reflux.

The quick diagnosis and control of malaria arose through expertise gained by Forsite staff through working with Fera. It enabled the company to become part of a major EU-funded research consortium beaming in on the problem.

Discussions with global players on taking the product to market are underway – a process which would not have happened but for the interaction between Fera and Forsite.

Dr Paul Meakin, head of marketing for Forsite Diagnostics, which won the People’s Award at Venturefest Yorkshire, said: “Fera is still a 24 per cent shareholder and much of the technology we are taking to market has its roots in Fera. The relationship can only continue to blossom and bear fruit.”