LabTech awarded patent for key technology

Adelaide-based clinical technology developer, LabTech Systems, has been granted a patent by the Australian Patent Office for its agar plate streaking technology, which forms the foundation of its MicroStreak system.

The technology was invented by John Glasson and Lachlan Smith when working at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) and was subsequently licensed by LabTech in 2004.

MicroStreak is a fully automated system for streaking biological samples on to agar plates, which obviates the need for manual streaking, thus saving labs a significant amount in time and labour. The instrument can process up to 180 plates in an hour, which is substantially more than any human operator can achieve manually.

Australian patent, entitled “Microbial streaking device”, covers the methods and design of the agar plate streaker, which was licensed to French diagnostic equipment distributor, bioMérieux, in 2007. It is now marketed worldwide by bioMérieux as the PREVI Isola, incorporating it in to their PREVI range of equipment.

For more information on LabTech Systems and MicroStreak technology, see this feature from the July/August 2008 issue of Australian Life Scientist.

LabTech Systems (ASX:LBT) is up 21.5% to $0.17 in today's trading.