BBI Detection

BBI Detection is a world leader in the development and manufacture of rapid tests to detect explosives and biothreat agents. Our unique access to high quality antibodies means that the performance of our products is assured, and our innovative sampling device - IMASS - provides a simple and fast route to accurate results.

Rapid Biothreat Detection Assays

BBI Detection has created a range of rapid biothreat detection assays for targets including anthrax, ricin and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B.  The wealth of expertise and the capabilities within our group ensures that all of our assays are developed to the highest possible standard, resulting in products that consistently meet or outperform those currently available within the market.

The assays can be housed in our single strip cassettes, three-strip housings or the IMASS (Integrated Multiplex Assay and Sampling System) device as required.

IMASS - Integrated Multiplex Assay and Sampling System
Innovative Sampling Device

The IMASS ‘Integrated Multiplex Assay and Sampling System’ Device is a powerful new innovation in sample collection and testing, especially suitable for ‘white powder’ incidents. Surfaces, powders or liquids can be sampled directly using the devices’ integrated sponge, and eight assay strips are run simultaneously from one sample. Its ergonomic and rugged design ensures ease of use, plus speed to results, even when full PPE is worn.

BBI Detection has carried out a number of revisions and improvements on the IMASS, and is now licenced by the UK Secretary of State for Defence to manufacture and supply the device.

Our experienced team can create bespoke tests for your particular targets, can incorporate our off-the-shelf biodetection tests, or can redesign existing assay strips to operate within the IMASS device. Functionality of the strips can be generated by immunochromatographic methods, chemical or enzymatic reactions, or potentially molecular chemistry (e.g. PCR).

Advantages over current systems used include:

• Ease of use (particularly when wearing PPE)
• Speed to results
• Increase in sampling area
• Robustness
• Sample containment and recovery
• Device can be decontaminated after sampling
• Low training burden
• No power requirements

Monoclonal Antibodies for Biothreat Detection

BBI Detection can supply high performance monoclonal antibodies for biothreat detection for a diverse range of targets including Ebola virus, B. anthracis, Ricin/Abrin, F. tularensis, Y. pestis, Botulinum toxin (a variety of subtypes), Burkholderia spp, Brucella spp, C. burnetii and V. cholerae.

A number of these antibodies are manufactured and sold by BBI Detection under license from the UK Secretary of State for Defence. To expand and complement our range, specific antibodies have also been sourced through our commercial partners. Contact us with your antibody requirements.
Monoclonal antibodies are produced in milligram to multigram batches at our Porton Down facility. Manufacturing capability includes the use of CELLine™ bioreactors in addition to standard rollerbottle production. Purified antibodies can be evaluated by HPLC or SDS-PAGE analysis, and agent specificity testing can also be carried out by ELISA.

Monoclonal Antibodies for Explosives Detection

BBI Detection can supply monoclonal antibodies for explosives detection, including those directed against the high explosives TNT, PETN and RDX. A number of these antibodies are manufactured and sold by BBI Detection under license from the UK Secretary of State for Defence.

Development of Biothreat Detection Assays

The BBI Detection team has considerable expertise in the development of biothreat detection assays. If you require a modified format, or detection of a particular threat agent which is not on our list of commercially available assays, then we will be more than happy to create a bespoke development program to meet your requirements.

The BBI Group has over 25 years of experience in development of a diverse range of assays including those for clinical, forensic, food safety, drugs of abuse and clean room applications. Our experienced team can create bespoke tests for your particular threat agent, using a variety of labelling methods; including gold nanoparticles, latex beads or magnetic particles. In addition to development of assays, we can advise on cassette design, materials sourcing and packaging requirements, thus assisting your sourcing needs.

Development of Explosives Detection Assays

Our high performing antibodies are key to the development of explosives detection assays with excellent specificity and sensitivity. In addition to development of lateral flow assays for detection of the high explosives TNT, RDX and PETN, we can also develop chemical detection and enzymatic detection tests for detection of components of homemade explosives such as glucose and urea.

Tests can be housed in our single strip cassettes, three-stick housing or our newly launched IMASS device.

BBI Detection – Critical Environmental Detection

BBI Detection was spun out of the diagnostic reagent and lateral flow test company BBInternational in 2010 to focus purely on our military and homeland security business. With facilities in Dundee and Porton Down, UK as well as Madison, WI, (USA), we are well positioned to cover the European and North American markets.

The Porton Down site is a specialist facility for manufacture of high quality antibodies against biothreats and explosives, and our sites in Dundee and Madison have mirrored capabilities in the development and manufacture of rapid assays for biothreat detection.