Forte Biotech (FBT), a Singapore–based spin-off of the National University of Singapore, is the manufacturer of the RAPID platform, a point-of-care molecular testing system that delivers sample-to-result diagnostics in about one hour with minimal user training.
Since 2021, FBT has collaborated with farmers across Southeast Asia to refine a field-ready testing solution. Its proprietary extraction chemistry yields PCR-grade DNA from challenging matrices—such as shrimp hepatopancreas and pond mud—without laboratory equipment, while isothermal amplification reagents achieve detection sensitivities approaching 10 copies per reaction. Both reagent and portable devices operate at ambient temperature—no refrigeration required—and can be powered by mains or external battery, making them suitable for farm sheds, remote outposts, or even coffee-shop counters.
Following its commercial launch in 2024, FBT has supported more than 80 farms in seven Asian countries with on-site disease surveillance. Membership in D4A underscores FBT’s commitment to international quality standards and grants the company direct engagement with the community shaping regulatory harmonization and innovation in veterinary diagnostics. FBT has now developed a range of machines, from low cost qualitative devices with IOT capabilities, to a quantitative isothermal amplifier. Looking ahead, FBT plans to extend the RAPID platform’s applications to additional livestock species and to partner with research institutions and industry peers to expand on-farm disease monitoring capabilities. As a new member of D4A, FBT aims to contribute expertise and technology towards advancing animal-health diagnostics globally.
