Auckland-based diagnostic biotech company Pictor has entered into a strategic collaboration with SCIENION, a BICO company, to commercialise a high throughput SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing system. The two companies will incorporate SCIENION’s CL2 sciREADER system into Pictor’s PictArray SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test to create the only platform capable of testing both anti-nucleocapsid and anti-spike antibodies in one reaction. This analysis will be key to support the sustained fight against COVID-19 by measuring a population’s level of herd immunity through natural infections and vaccinations.
“As COVID-19 remains a widespread concern, measuring antibody levels across populations will be critical for public health officials to stop new variant surges,” said Holger Eickhoff Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of SCIENION GmbH. “We’re honored to work with Pictor to help further develop this vital technology.”
The combined system will provide a highly automated miniaturised multiplex immunoassay test in a 96 well plate format capable of providing quick analysis on patients’ level of antibodies. The system also leverages proprietary software, developed by Pictor, which produces a risk score for individuals to determine their likelihood of carrying a COVID-19 infection.
“We are thrilled to have entered into this strategic collaboration with SCIENION,” said Pictor CEO Thomas Schlumpberger. “Leveraging the sciREADER colormetric high performance and accuracy enables Pictor to bring high throughput, high performance and low-cost multiplexed antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 to the market. We are eager to provide insights into the epidemiological spread of the virus to help inform control and prevention measures.”
The PictArray SARS-CoV-2 Serology Test enters clinical trials in September 2021 with the goal of receiving FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) and brought to market in early 2022. The companies also plan to pursue a positive Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) opinion for use in the United Kingdom and European Union.
