Sun Biomedical (ASX:SBN) has entered into a manufacturing and...

Sun Biomedical (ASX:SBN) has entered into a manufacturing and development agreement with Safecare Biotech Co. in China for its hand held saliva based drug testing device.

The agreement covers development and manufacturing of lateral flow immunoassay strips for its Oraline® 4 saliva drug testing models as well as complete assembly of the units.

Also provided for is a framework for further cooperation with future Oraline® products.

Safecare operates an in-house laboratory for lateral flow strip development and batch quality control and carries the highest certification available for medical device manufacturers in China including the new China Food and Drug Administration certification for medical devices.

SBN's products focus in the area of occupational drug testing.

The company is commercialising new improved versions of its Oraline® handheld multi-drug test device while also looking to increase its biotechnology investments.

Last month, SBN signed a research agreement in the area of Asthma with Telethon Kids Institute Western Australia.

Under the arrangement, SBN will fund the first stage of potentially ground-breaking research to identify genes that are predictive of asthma.

Immune responses to house dust mite in allergic subjects with or without asthma will be studied to determine if there is a specific pattern of immune responses associated with asthma.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children and remains under-diagnosed and under-treated.

This growing market represent an opportunity for manufacturers to introduce novel molecules, new combinations and innovative delivery devices to help better treat patients.