Western Morning News (Saturday)
Breakthrough for viral immune test
AREVOLUTIONARY new device developed by Exeter scientists will test whether people have antibodies to coronavirus – and deliver the results in just seven minutes.
Antibody tests show whether a person has previously had the virus, unlike the swab tests, which show whether you are currently infected. It is thought they could be an important tool in returning to normality.
Traditional antibody tests can take up to 72 hours to get results.
The pioneering Covid-19 Triple Antibody Test has been produced by the University of Exeter spin-out company Attomarker Ltd.
The device has been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency after successful trials at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.
The technology is being developed into a miniaturised hand-held “pocket laboratory” that can be docked to a smartphone to provide accurate testing at point-of-care, including in care homes and pharmacies.
Meanwhile, pubgoers and diners are being urged to stay vigilant this weekend, the second since the reopening of the hospitality and tourism sector. Poor weather is thought to have put many people off taking their first night out last weekend. But the forecast is looking better for this weekend.
Malcolm Bell, chief executive of Visit Cornwall, said visitor numbers were picking up slowly. They were expecting about 90,000 visitors a day in the Duchy instead of the 120,000 that would be expected at this time of year, he said.
Hospitals across Devon and Cornwall have gone an eighth day in a row without recording a coronavirus-related death.
SCIENTISTS at the University of Exeter have developed a revolutionary new device that could test whether people have antibodies to coronavirus – and deliver the results in as little as seven minutes.
Traditional tests that require laboratory analysis can take up to 72 hours to get results.
The device tests for antibodies against three proteins made by the SARS-CoV-2 virus – the formal name of the coronavirus which has caused the pandemic – as well as three classes of antibody.
Antibodies are produced by the body in response to an infection, and are tailored to recognise proteins from a foreign organism.
Antibody tests are used to detect whether a person has previously had the virus, unlike the swab tests, which show whether you are currently infected. Early research suggests that 40-50% of cases could be asymptomatic.
There is no strong evidence yet to suggest whether those who have had the virus develop long-lasting immunity which would prevent them from getting the virus again. However, the presence of antibodies can indicate whether a patient has been exposed to the coronavirus.
The pioneering Covid-19 Triple Antibody Test has been produced by the University of Exeter spin-out company Attomarker Ltd, and is set to spearhead the next generation of rapid and accurate antibody testing.
After successful trials in an initial patient study at St Thomas’ Hospital in London earlier this year, the test device has received approval by the
Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The Attomarker technology is being developed into a miniaturised handheld “pocket laboratory” that can be docked to a smartphone to provide accurate testing at point-of-care, including in care homes and pharmacies.
While many of the currently available tests only measure antibodies for one protein produced by the SARSCoV-2 virus the Attomarker device can simultaneously test for three (Spike 1, Spike 2 & N) and three classes of antibodies (IgM, IgG and IgA).
The result is a more powerful profile of the patient’s immune response to Covid-19.
In March, an extensive pilot study for the device was conducted at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London. It was fully funded by University of Exeter alumni and friends, more than 1,300 of whom gave a total of £120,000 through the Covid-19 Emergency Appeal.
Scientists carried out 119 tests over an initial five-day period, investigating the performance on 74 admitted patients from an early stage of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Further analysis with another 200 patients showed that the new test delivers a sensitivity of up to 96% in detecting Covid-19 antibodies – including in patients who previously had negative swab tests.
The results of the trial are published this week in the journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Analyst.
Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, is working with Attomarker and has manufactured ten pre-production devices, with the ability to ramp up volume according to demand.
Together with Scienion, the array manufacturer, this gives Attomarker the capacity to provide a testing service in volume from early autumn.
Attomarker has also begun further testing at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for a combined Covid-19/Flu antibody test which will be able to differentiate between patients with the two infections.
Professor Andrew Shaw, chief executive and founder of Attomarker and associate professor of physical chemistry at the University of Exeter, said: “The Attomarker team are excited with the high sensitivity and specificity results.
“We are proud to be working alongside the St Thomas’ Hospital and Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital to test our technology, including the combination COVID-19/Flu test ahead of the winter season.”
Dr Shaun Curtis, director of global advancement at the University of Exeter, said: “We are delighted to see such a successful outcome to the testing. This exciting innovation couldn’t have happened without the support of our alumni community and we are incredibly grateful to each and every person who supported our Emergency Appeal.
“We hope they are proud to be a part of this accomplishment.”
Professor Sir Robert Lechler, senior vice president/provost (health) at Kings College London, said the new test would be key to equipping healthcare professionals with the data they need to better manage the epidemic.