Warnex Inc. announced 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, 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. The symptoms of this new flu virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus have also reported diarrhoea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, this virus can cause severe illness and death.

Warnex is a life sciences company devoted to protecting public health by providing laboratory services to the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Warnex Analytical Services provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with a variety of quality control services, including chemistry, chromatography, microbiology, method development and validation, and stability studies.