Response Protocols bring Antigens into Research Arena

Novel Coronavirus antigens derived from the emerging Wuhan strain are available from The Native Antigen Company which has developed rapid response manufacturing capabilities in line with the World Health Organisation's R&D Blueprint. This urges the accelerated development of vaccines and the increased availability of accurate and reliable diagnostics for priority emerging infectious diseases.

The antigens have been derived specifically from the newly identified Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) using the company’s proprietary mammalian, VirtuE expression system, which is able to introduce proper protein folding and post-translational modifications to recombinant proteins, the company said.

Dr Andy Lane, Commercial Director at The Native Antigen Company, commented: “Our mission is to reduce the global burden of infectious disease by developing the highest-quality reagents in rapid response to emerging public health threats. The release of these Coronavirus antigens within one month of the newly identified 2019-nCoV genome being published exemplifies the power of The Native Antigen Company’s recombinant protein platforms to prepare reagents in response to new threats.

“As one of the first recognised suppliers to release 2019-nCoV proteins, we are proud to be able to offer these antigens to in vitro diagnostics and pharmaceutical researchers to help drive the development of serological assays and vaccines that will be vital in stemming the spread of this disease.”

According to Professor Richard Tedder, Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, this represents a major step forward in efforts to contain the outbreak: “The Native Antigen Company’s Coronavirus antigens could aid the development of accurate serological assays to identify asymptomatic individuals who have been infected by the virus, and help to assess the true level of infection in any population. The availability of these antigens also supports researchers’ efforts to rapidly develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV by providing vital reagents to measure vaccine responses.”