Irish firm Aalto Bio Reagents launches first antibodies for Zika tests

An Irish firm says it is taking a leading role in helping in the race among some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms to develop a diagnostic test kit for the Zika Virus.

Aalto Bio Reagents supplies antibodies or the raw materials diagnostic test firms use in their kits around the world. It said yesterday it has launched the first Zika Virus antibodies.

The Zika Virus, which is mostly transmitted by mosquitoes, has raised huge health concerns in Brazil and 29 other countries in recent months because the virus can cause infected mothers to give birth to babies with defects including microcephaly — or abnormal smallness of the head.