Triple Antibody Test for COVID-19 Provides Laboratory-Standard Results in Just Seven Minutes

A new triple antibody test detects antibodies to three different COVID-19 proteins in seven minutes at the PoC, giving a more powerful profile of the clinically relevant biomarkers than other currently available COVID-19 tests.

The next-generation test has been developed by Attomarker Ltd. (Devon, UK), a spin-out company from the University of Exeter. Attomarker’s technology uses a multiplex platform, which means that it tests for multiple clinically relevant biomarkers against the SARS-CoV-2 virus simultaneously: Attomarker tests for three virus proteins (Spike 1, Spike 2 & N) and three classes of antibodies (IgM, IgG and IgA), giving a more powerful profile of the patient’s immune response to COVID-19. This could help validate a COVID-19 vaccine when a viable candidate completes development.

Further testing of the multiplex technology is currently underway, trialling a combined COVID-19/flu antibody test in order to help healthcare professionals discriminate between the two infections. Attomarker’s technology is now being further developed into a miniaturized hand-held device, docked to a smartphone, to provide the same quantitative accuracy in the community at point-of-care, including care homes, and pharmacies.

The triple antibody test has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in the UK, following positive results from an initial patient study in which it detected antibodies in a real cohort of recovering patients with a sensitivity of 96%, 14 days after the onset of symptoms.

“This technology tests for antibodies against three viral proteins, two spikes and the nucleocapsid, as well as three classes of antibody, showing quantitative results,” said Professor Sir Robert Lechler, Senior Vice President/Provost (Health) Kings College London. “These differentiators will be key to beginning the next phase of COVID-19 testing urgently needed in the UK, equipping healthcare professionals initially with the data they need to better manage the epidemic.”

“This is the next generation of antibody tests, giving rapid laboratory level results on three classes of antibody in seven minutes and all at point of care. It is another success story for British universities and British science in the global battle against COVID-19,” said Professor Andrew Shaw, CEO & Founder of Attomarker and Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Exeter.

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