Anitoa intros rapid, onsite nucleic acid test for optical detection of Coronavirus

March 5, 2020

The device features a four-plex optical multiplexing subsystem to detect multiple gene targets in one sample, and it takes about 30 minutes from sample to results.

Anitoa Systems (Menlo Park, CA) has demonstrated a solution for a rapid on-site nucleic acid test to detect Coronavirus (2019-nCoV; widely known as COVID-2019). The test combines the company's Maverick real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) instrument with a "one-step" reverse transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR) reagent for testing COVID-19, eliminating the cumbersome process of packaging and transporting patient samples to a central lab and the additional steps of tedious sample prep prior to running RT-PCR. This saves time and reduces risks of cross-contamination. The solution's high accuracy avoids false-negative readings due to the degradation of viral RNAs in the sample when transported.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in China in December 2019, thousands of lives have been lost and many more are negatively impacted. Since there is a 2–3% death rate from the virus and it may be transmitted by exposed individuals who show no symptoms, an effective screening test for the virus is vital for controlling this outbreak.

With Anitoa's solution, patient samples, such as throat or nasal swaps, can be applied directly to the portable instrument onsite without the need to freeze, transport, and thaw the samples. The Maverick RT-qPCR device features a four-plex optical multiplexing subsystem to detect multiple gene targets in one sample, and it takes about 30 minutes from sample to results. The device is powered by a CMOS biosensor chip developed by the company—the CMOS biosensor integrates many sensing and processing functions necessary for qPCR in a single silicon chip, significantly reducing the footprint and cost of the device.

Having a R&D center in Hangzhou, China, Anitoa tested its solution in hospitals and CDC labs in China with actual patient samples. Early test results with the Maverick solution showed a 97% accuracy, with 99% specificity.

The Anitoa Maverick instrument and test kit is provided as a turnkey solution for detecting COVID-19. The company is in the process of applying for clinical clearance under emergency use authorization (EuA) regulations in both the U.S. and China.

For more information, please visit anitoa.com.

Source: Anitoa Systems, LLC via PRNewswire

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