Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis publishes method for the fast detection of a key antiviral: Researchers from China demonstrate a novel nanobody-based detection of recombinant human interferon ?2b using a strip test

Interferons are proteins that constitute an important part of our natural defense systems. These proteins also exhibit a remarkable antiviral activity. The recombinant human interferon α2b (rhIFNα2b) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1986. It has been used ever since as an antiviral agent for the treatment of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Despite its widespread applications, however, there remains an issue: the detection of rhIFNα2b is tedious and time-consuming.