Warnex Launches New Test for Influenza A H1N1 Virus Mutation Associated With Resistance to Tamiflu®

Warnex Inc. announced today that its Medical Laboratories division has launched a test for the detection of a mutation of the pandemic influenza A H1N1 virus, which is associated with resistance to Tamiflu(R), a drug used for the treatment and prevention of the flu. The test specifically detects the H275Y mutation of the neuraminidase gene, which has been shown to cause resistance to Tamiflu.

"We have begun to see cases of Tamiflu resistance of the A H1N1 virus on a global scale, and recently also here in Quebec," said Mark Busgang, President and CEO of Warnex. "We are offering this test for the identification of a Tamiflu-resistant strain in addition to our test for the rapid detection of the H1N1 flu virus, demonstrating the commitment of our Medical Laboratories division to serve as a reference laboratory and make available such highly specialized medical tests to the Canadian healthcare sector."
Influenza A H1N1 virus, also known as human swine flu, is a variant of the influenza A virus which was first detected in people in April 2009 and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The A H1N1 flu virus spreads from person to person, probably in much the same way as regular seasonal influenza viruses.