French diagnostics company bioMérieux (Euronext Paris:BIM) announced on Tuesday the launch of VETFIRE, a PCR-based diagnostic kit designed to rapidly detect equine infectious respiratory diseases.

The test delivers results in under 20 minutes and identifies seven pathogens simultaneously, aiding swift diagnosis and response. It distinguishes between viral and bacterial infections, supporting targeted treatment decisions and contributing to responsible antibiotic use.

Targeting veterinarians, VETFIRE addresses the ongoing concern of respiratory outbreaks, such as the 2019 equine influenza epidemic in Europe and the 2007 outbreak in Australia that caused an estimated AUD1bn in industry losses.

The solution supports containment strategies in localised outbreaks and helps inform decisions on isolation and treatment. It may also be adopted for routine health checks prior to domestic and international equine travel.

VETFIRE is performed using the BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE System, bioMérieux's latest platform for point-of-care molecular diagnostics. It is currently available in the UK, Ireland and France, with potential for broader distribution.