Background

The pandemic that swept the world led to rapid advances in detection and prevention of COVID-19. PCR remains the gold standard for COVID-19 testing. Identifying the genetic material of the virus, PCR provides a highly accurate and reliable way to test individuals. However, challenges do exist for PCR, as it requires analysis by a laboratory, can be more costly, and has a longer turnaround time of at least several hours for results. At home test kits have provided us with a quick and inexpensive way to test for COVID-19. However, these rapid antigen tests are typically not as reliable as PCR or other nucleic acid amplification tests. The rapid tests in the market are qualitative assessments indicating the presence or absence of COVID-19 antigens. They are not able to distinguish whether or not a person has infectious levels of the virus. A need remains for a more advanced at-home test that can provide highly accurate quantitative results, while remaining rapid and low cost.

Technology Overview

Transversal Therapeutics is developing a novel, rapid, and accurate saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostic technology that uses biosensors and nanotechnology to yield a quantitative result in just 5 minutes. This rapid COVID-19 virus test can be done by anyone, anywhere, has a comparable accuracy to PCR, and a shelf life of more than a year at room temperature. The device comprises a long-lasting saliva collection device, a disposable tip, a sensor, and an electrochemical reader. Transversal’s product specifically detects for ACE2 receptor presence to qualitatively assess viral load and has a detection rate higher than 90%.

Benefits

Convenient at-home test with similar accuracy to PCR
Quick results in under 5 minutes
Cheaper than other options in market
Non-invasive sampling
1+ year shelf life at room-temperature, longer when refrigerated

Applications

Super accurate at-home Covid test
Can be customized to detect Influenza A and B
Utility of electrochemical reader for other tests

Opportunity

Building business plan, apply for grant funding.

Rapid Saliva-Based Detection of COVID-19 Virus

IP Status

Seeking