COVID-19: new rapid test marks a world first
Unisensor, Coris BioConcept and Bio-X Diagnostics, three Wallonia-based biotech companies at the forefront of innovation in diagnostics, have joined forces to develop an individual rapid test that marks a world first.
Unlike other commercially available solutions, the new test from Unisensor, Coris BioConcept and Bio-X Diagnostics is the only rapid test of its kind capable of detecting an immune response against two specific markers for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The test, developed entirely in Wallonia and available in different formats, is able to identify previous infection in a larger number of people as well as detecting neutralising and potentially protective antibodies.
The three companies formed a consortium to develop the innovative new test, with financial backing from the Walloon government.
Going forward, the partners aim to bring their test to market in the very near term and make it easily accessible to members of the public in Belgium and beyond. Their ambition aligns with growing calls from leading experts and mirrors the approach adopted in France and other European countries, where rapid tests are available in pharmacies.
What is the new rapid test?
Tests can be divided into two broad groups.
The first are known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which detect the presence of a virus using genetic markers. This type of test requires extensive human intervention – from collecting the sample through to analysing it in a laboratory – plus an extensive array of equipment and vital reagents. All of this effort means that, at best, it takes between 24 and 72 hours between test and result.
The second are rapid serology tests, which detect acquired immunity in someone who has previously been exposed to a virus by looking for specific antibodies in the person’s blood.
The new test, developed by Coris BioConcept, Unisensor and Bio- X Diagnostics and marketed by Coris BioConcept, is as simple and straightforward to use as a pregnancy test and delivers a result in just 15 minutes.
Is this rapid test really something new?
Absolutely.
The new test pushes detection well beyond the capabilities of other commercially available solutions. It is the only rapid test that can:
- Detect an immune response against two markers of the coronavirus
- Identify previous infection in a larger number of people
- Detect the presence of neutralising and potentially protective antibodies.
That is why this innovative new test marks a world first.
Financial backing from the Walloon government
Unlike other, existing rapid tests, the new test developed by the consortium is capable of differentiating between anti-nucleoprotein (NP) and anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies.
In a post-epidemic context, identifying immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies is of limited relevance. However, being able to distinguish between anti-NP and anti-RBD responses is considerably more useful.
As well as developing a new type of rapid test, the three consortium partners have adopted a forward- thinking approach by setting up a local production facility in Wallonia that can cater quickly to high levels of demand.
The successful project – led by Coris BioConcept, Unisensor and Bio-X Diagnostics, three companies at the forefront of innovation in biotechnology – not only breaks new ground in the development of rapid tests, but also marks an important step forward in local, end-to-end production capability.
Outlook
In their drive to bring their innovation to the widest possible audience, the three partners plan to follow the French model and make the test available at pharmacies.
The test could also be offered at GP practices, health centres, and elsewhere.
In the longer term, the product could conceivably be distributed as a home test, allowing members of the public to quickly find out whether they have neutralising and potentially protective antibodies.
Shifting to a home test model will first require changes to Belgian federal law.
Once again, the situation calls for political leadership.
Relieving pressure on society
Unisensor, Coris BioConcept and Bio-X Diagnostics believe that their ground-breaking new test could help to allay wider concerns by allowing members of the public to check whether they have antibodies – and, therefore, whether they have already been infected by the virus – without the need for outside intervention.
If they so wish, people will be able to approach their GP for additional confirmation via an ELISA or other laboratory test.
The consortium will shortly be bringing an ELISA-type test to market.
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