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Avacta and Integumen collaborate for detection of SARS-COV-2 coronavirus in waste water

Avacta Group plc

Partnership to evaluate the use of Affimer reagents to detect the coronavirus using novel sensors

12 Jul 2020
Tom Casburn
Associate Editor

Industry news

Avacta Group, the developer of Affimer® biotherapeutics and reagents, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a collaboration with Integumen to evaluate recently generated Affimer reagents that bind the SARS-COV-2 spike protein for the detection of the coronavirus in waste water, to provide a real-time alert system to warn of localized COVID-19 outbreaks.

Over 60 percent of COVID-19 positive patients had gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and the SARS-COV-2 virus was found in their fecal samples. Sampling waste water from households may therefore provide an early warning system for localized outbreaks in communities.

Recently, Avacta announced that it had generated a number of highly specific Affimer reagents that detect the SARS-COV-2 virus spike protein for use in diagnostic tests and in neutralizing therapies.

The collaboration with Integumen announced today aims to evaluate some of these Affimer reagents in next-generation sensors, based on the real-time bacteria detection and alert system developed by Rinocloud Ltd, a subsidiary of Integumen, with the aim of integrating these sensors into Modern Water’s Microtox water contamination system to detect the coronavirus. The award-winning Microtox system, which can detect the presence of contaminating bacteria, virus and toxins, is distributed by Modern Water and has a global footprint of over 3,000 installations. The proposed Affimer sensors would be consumable items to be replaced on a roughly monthly basis.

Once initial testing of the Affimer reagents is completed over the next few weeks, validation of the sensors will be carried out using SARS-COV-2 virus samples in a containment level 3 laboratory at the University of Aberdeen. Upon successful completion of this evaluation, Integumen and Avacta will enter into a supply agreement to allow Integumen to manufacture and commercialize the waste water detection sensors globally by retrofitting into Microtox systems.

Dr. Alastair Smith, Chief Executive of Avacta Group commented: ““I am very pleased to be entering into this collaboration with Integumen, which holds substantial commercial potential for an Affimer-based consumable SARS-COV-2 detector unit to retrofit into the globally installed base of Microtox systems. Affimer reagents are ideal for applications such as this, not only because of their sensitivity and specificity, but also because of their robustness, which is essential when being deployed in real-world situations, such as real-time waste water analysis.

With the spread of COVID-19 continuing to accelerate globally, we are proud to work with partners like Integumen to provide our Affimer reagents for development on a range of platforms to combat the pandemic. This collaboration has the potential to deliver a product that will play a crucial role in the early detection of COVID-19 hotspots around the world.

I look forward to updating the market very soon on progress with Integumen and our other COVID-19 related programmes.”

Gerard Brandon, CEO of Integumen and Chairman of Modern Water, commented: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Avacta, adding their highly specific and robust Affimer reagents to our real-time alert arsenal of pathogen capture devices for the COVID-19 virus in sewage. The global pandemic has highlighted waste water as a potential early warning hotspot detection opportunity and the inclusion of Affimer reagents adds an established method of capturing the virus to a widely used pathogen alert system."

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ImmunologyImmunological techniques measure and characterize immune responses. Immunology kits and analysis systems often use techniques such as ELISA, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and immunodiffusion assays, Immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Clinical MicrobiologyMicrobiology is the study of microorganisms including protists, prokaryotes, fungi, and, often, viruses. Microorganisms are a useful research tool as genetic vectors and, in immunology, for antibiotic susceptibility testing, cellular biology and genetics. Microorganisms commonly grow readily in incubators with microbial culture media; this can contain chromogenic supplements to differentiate between cell lines. Estimate your culture’s density of microorganisms with colony counters, or screen and select colonies for desirable clones with automated colony pickers. Additionally, equipment is available to monitor environments for the presence of microbes and identify with microbial identification instruments. Find the best microbiology products in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Waste WaterMolecular DiagnosticsMolecular diagnostics use an individual’s genetic code and gene expression to diagnose and monitor diseases. The technique is used increasingly in the field of infectious diseases and oncology, as well as areas such as coagulation, HLA typing and pharmacogenomics. Molecular diagnostics plays a pivotal role in personalized medicine.CoronavirusCoronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like COVID-19. Research into the biology, transmission, and treatment of coronaviruses has become a global priority, particularly since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. Understanding the virus�s structure and behavior is essential for developing vaccines, diagnostics, and antiviral treatments. Explore our peer-reviewed product directory to discover the latest research tools, diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments for coronavirus, compare products, read reviews, and receive pricing directly from manufacturers.Covid-19COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has led to a global health crisis with profound impacts on societies and economies. Research into diagnostics, vaccines, treatments, and understanding viral mechanisms continues to evolve. The pandemic has accelerated innovations in healthcare and biopharmaceuticals, including novel vaccine platforms and rapid testing technologies. Browse our peer-reviewed product directory to find top COVID-19 testing kits, research tools, vaccines, and treatments, compare products, read reviews, and receive direct pricing from manufacturers.

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