TraceSafe Inc. (CSE:TSF), a leader in location-aware Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, has announced a partnership with Sixth Wave Innovations, a nanotechnology company that provides extraction and detection of target substances like viruses at the molecular level with significant advantages in speed, cost, and accuracy.
Halifax, Nova Scotia-based Sixth Wave’s technology uses patented Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) for imprinting, capturing, and detecting substances at the molecular level, providing effective and proactive prevention and containment strategy for deadly viruses and pathogens in animals.
TraceSafe said that the two Canadian companies are joining forces to work on a first-of-its-kind solution that constantly monitors for pathogens and “provides real-time updates across the entire food supply chain.”
READ: TraceSafe unveils strategic initiatives in energy management and decarbonization-as-a-service
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) estimates that animal diseases, like Avian Flu or coronaviruses, cause the loss of at least 20% of livestock production globally, valued at nearly US$300 billion per year. According to the company, as diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF) travel across the world, farmers might experience devastating losses.
The company pointed out that since most current animal health practices focus on “reactive” and “time-consuming” lab testing, the herd is left in danger of infection for days before the virus or pathogen is detected. On the other hand, with Sixth Wave's nanotechnology and TraceSafe's award-winning platform, livestock producers and farmers will be able to diagnose pathogenic threats proactively and quickly in the food supply chain, saving billions in costs and health risks.
"The global food supply chain is facing huge challenges with growing instances of viruses and pathogens across the world. At the same time there are unprecedented disruptions in the global grain and fertilizer markets impacting animal feed prices and contributing to food price inflation and potential food shortages,” said TraceSafe CEO Wayne Lloyd in a statement.
“Sixth Wave is doing groundbreaking work by using nanotechnology in virus detection and we are excited to see the possibilities of coming together to make farms and food safer for the world,” added Lloyd.
Llyod noted that coupled with Sixth Wave's pathogen sensors, TraceSafe will be able to use its innovative IoT and advanced analytics platform in the agritech space, opening up a “whole new exciting vertical for the company."
The two firms plan to undertake combined research and development initiatives to create a non-intrusive sensor-based product that uses MIPs for virus and pathogen detection and surveillance on farms and other agricultural environments.
Sixth Wave CEO Jonathan Gluckman added that livestock diseases contribute to massive losses linked to reduced productivity, drop in trade, and food insecurity.
“The problems require an urgent and time-efficient solution that only advanced technology can offer," added Gluckman. “Sixth Wave has demonstrated success in this area already with its COVID-19 AMIPS polymer and we are excited to partner up with TraceSafe in creating a truly innovative solution that will use the best of technology to proactively manage potential health risks in the food supply chain."
TraceSafe provides (IoT) solutions, unique wearables, industrial-grade sensors, and an award-winning analytics platform.
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive