Intelligent Fingerprinting, a subsidiary of Intelligent Bio Solutions, has successfully completed the initial design phase of new assays for ketamine and tramadol testing. The assays are now moving to the next stage of development – scale-up and transfer to manufacture – in preparation for potential clinical trials.
Expanding the Drug Panel
Once trials are successfully completed, the new assays will be added to the panel of substances detectable with the Intelligent Fingerprinting Drug Screening System, further broadening its workplace and clinical applications.
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Ketamine is a hallucinogenic drug with rising misuse worldwide. Seizures of ketamine in the U.S. increased by more than 1,100% between 2017 and 2022 [1], and UK authorities reported an 884% rise in seizures between March 2021 and March 2022 [2].
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Tramadol, a synthetic opioid pain reliever, is increasingly being added to controlled substances lists globally due to concerns about abuse and dependency.
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In Australia, research shows more than 50% of regular drug users reported using ketamine in 2021, up 9% from the previous year [3].
Commitment to Continuous Innovation
Harry Simeonidis, President and CEO of Intelligent Bio Solutions, said:
“While both ketamine and tramadol have legitimate medical uses, their growing misuse is a concern for workplaces worldwide. We are committed to expanding the capabilities of our fingerprint-based drug screening system to ensure it continues to meet the needs of employers and organizations. Advancing these new assays into manufacturing and preparation for trials marks an important step forward.”
About the System
The Intelligent Fingerprinting system uses a small, tamper-evident cartridge to collect fingerprint sweat samples in under a minute. Results for multiple drug groups are delivered on-site in ten minutes, offering a rapid, dignified, and non-invasive alternative to traditional urine or saliva testing methods.
Sources
[1] NYU Grossman School of Medicine & National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS), University of Florida – Ketamine seizure analysis (2017–2022)
[2] UK Home Office – Seizures of drugs in England and Wales, 2021 to 2022
[3] National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales – Illicit Drug Reporting System 2021
