Biotech firms develop lateral flow platform that detects new COVID-19 variants

Cambridge-based biotechnology companies Excivion and Activotec have formed a collaboration with several Scottish partners to develop a new platform for COVID-19 lateral flow (LF) tests. 

The technology which has been submitted for UK patent protection by Coronex, and has been used to develop highly optimised LF tests for SARS-Cov-2 antibodies. The technology also allows the LF tests to be adapted easily and rapidly to detect antibodies to newly isolated variants when mutations arise.

Accurate repeat testing, such as that provided by the new Coronex LF technology, will enable monitoring of antibody responses to vaccination over time, and inform the need for repeat immunisation over the coming months and years.

LF tests are used to process samples at the point of care, without the need for specialist laboratory equipment or sample storage. The accuracy and specificity of such tests, and the ability to rapidly adapt to, and detect, viral mutations is critical when faced with the rapid spread of new Coronavirus variants.

Coronex’s technological advancements optimise the mechanism by which the COVID-19 antibodies are detected in the LF test, thereby minimising ambiguous or inaccurate results whilst also allowing the target antigen to be changed. This means the test kits offer clearer, more accurate results, are easily altered to adapt to virus mutations and are cheaper to manufacture. The technology has been developed and tested over six months on a cohort of COVID-19 samples.

Large-scale COVID-19 antibody screenings with high specificity and sensitivity could provide public health authorities with reliable data to monitor the impact of regional and national lockdown restrictions and provide evidence of antibody generation after vaccine immunisations. 

Chris Littlewood, CEO of Activiotec, said: “We are in no doubt that the Coronex platform has re-engineered and revolutionised lateral flow technology. The adaptability of the technology is vitally important when we see the rapid spread of the new coronavirus variants; and whilst our primary focus has been on SARS-CoV-2, the same core technology could have applications for other infectious agents, or in detecting auto-antibodies in autoimmune disorders or monitoring therapeutic antibodies used as drug treatments. We have proven the technology works and with further investment can accelerate translation into widespread clinical use.”

Coronex was set up in April 2020 to address unmet needs in LF antibody testing. Partners in the Coronex collaboration are Excivion and Activotec, alongside Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (representing NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde), Scottish industry partners – Lateral Dx, The Antibody Company - and investment partner Axon Healthcare Investments.

The Coronex team believes the new technology also has application beyond the current pandemic, thanks to the platform being readily adaptable to a wide range of disease areas where antibody testing is critical. This includes other infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. 

Coronex is now seeking an investment partner that can support further development and validation, bring this innovative test into early clinical use, and extend the technology to other diagnostic areas. 

Graham Watson, executive chairman of Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL) said: “The rapid research and development efforts of a homegrown team of experts, combined with the regulatory and commercial expertise of Scottish Health Innovations Ltd (SHIL), has brought Coronex to the stage of patent application. It is a vital breakthrough that we are immensely proud to be part of.

“Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic motivated these efforts, the application of the unique LF technology in other infectious disease areas represents an attractive prospect for investment and acceleration at an incredibly important time."