LFD Incorporates Aptamer Reagent for Virus Testing

A collaboration between Aptamer Group and Cytiva, (formerly GE Healthcare Life Sciences), will combine the partners’ expertise in aptamer reagent development with flow technology to produce a Lateral Flow Device (LFD), said to be capable of generating results as a rapid test for COVID-19 infection in less than ten minutes.

The project, which will support scalable non-laboratory testing for virus infections such as COVID-19, highlights the growing prevalence aptamers will take in the process of screening of large numbers of people.  Aptamers are synthetic molecules that are made from DNA or RNA that fold into unique three-dimensional structures that allow them to bind to targets with high affinity and high specificity.

The company will retain the intellectual property to its SARS-COVID 2 aptamer and rights to the final product developed by Cytiva.

Dr Arron Tolley, Chief Executive of Aptamer Group said “This collaboration with Cytiva is a significant step forward in the application of aptamers in virus testing.  It is also a strong endorsement of the innovation and technology we are applying to help address the global pandemic with an effective, reliable test that delivers quick results. “Once developed, the new test can be deployed to point of care facilities worldwide.  We are also looking into the opportunity to develop a home test version, which help increase the opportunity for rapid testing.”

Lee Jenkins, Senior Product Manager at Cytiva added: “We are pleased to support Aptamer Group’s work to develop a COVID-19 point of care diagnostic test. Aptamers are an economical and scalable technology making them very suitable for producing a diagnostic.”

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