Analysis of Microtox®PD chips coated with Optimer binding agents detect 3 common variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 virus
Modern Water Mobile Services will launch with Alpha, Delta and Omicron detection capability
DeepVerge confirms that analysis to investigate the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus on Microtox®PD chips coated with Optimers[i], binding agents provided by Aptamer Group plc (AIM:APTA), has detected 3 common variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Modern Water Mobile Services[ii] (RNS December 10, 2021), due to launch later this quarter, will have Compact Microtox®PD units with the ability to test for all 3 variants to detect and quantify the spready of COVID-19 in the community.
Scientists at the York, UK, Laboratory, have successfully populated the binding agents on the chips using an anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody, that was raised against the Alpha variant. While variation of detection of all 3 variants was observed, both Delta and Omicron variants had a higher affinity to the Optimer coated chips than Alpha.
The Company believes these results validate the expansion of the York facilities to accommodate containment level 3 to work on dangerous pathogens, which include SARS-CoV-2.
Gerard Brandon, CEO of DeepVerge plc, commented:
“The body of research, protocols and methods created at the York, UK laboratories, working with the science team at Aptamer Group, and the ability to work with the real virus, offers confirmation and sets standards that allow for rapid advances in testing of our partner’s binding agents, so that we can ensure that the latest detection capabilities are available when we roll-out the Compact Microtox®PD COVID detection units through Modern Water Mobile Services which was featured on SKY News earlier this month. (video link here https://vimeo.com/666742992)
“The extended scientific community will now have the ability to monitor the virus in real-time and require testing for new variants of concern. ”
For further information please contact:
DeepVerge plc
Gerard Brandon, CEO
+44 (0) 7340 055 648
