Grant: Alliance Grants

Our team has recently developed a rapid saliva-based test for SARS-CoV-2 using a high-affinity DNA aptamer to recognize the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This test has been licensed by Zentek Ltd., who is currently working to bring the test to market. Given the incredible threat of infectious pathogens to human lives, their rapid detection is vital for improving human health. In the case of viral pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, large-scale testing, contact tracing and isolation have been shown to be effective in controlling the viral spread. However, the majority of current testing is based on nucleic acid detection using PCR, which, while highly sensitive and specific, suffers from a slow turnaround time and high cost. Rapid, accurate and inexpensive testing platforms can offer excellent solutions. Unfortunately, current rapid antigen tests, although relatively rapid, are still expensive and not sufficiently sensitive for easily available samples like saliva swabs. To address these issues, we propose to expand our aptamer diagnostic approach towards the development of a platform technology to allow quick delivery of a simple, fast, cost-effective large-scale diagnostic test that can become commercially available early in a future pandemic. This platform will consist of: (1) efficient aptamer engineering methodologies that can provide high-performing aptamers for a target of a pathogen in weeks; (2) a simplified sample processing platform capable of efficiently processing saliva, nasal mucus or other relevant clinical samples to deliver high-quality samples for testing; (3) an optimized electrochemical sensing platform suitable for use in congregate settings that efficiently converts pathogen presence into an electric readout (like a glucose meter), and; (4) optimized lateral flow devices suitable for use in home settings that provide a simple yes or no answer quickly (like a pregnancy test). Each of these components will be further developed by Zentek to include rapid manufacturing and test validation components so that new tests can obtain timely regulatory approval and be manufactured at scale to ensure rapid commercialization at the onset of a global pandemic.