Project
Kromek – an international company specialising in health surveillance and early pathogen detection – developed a new isothermal molecular assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and required a preliminary evaluation of its accuracy.
How we helped
Our scientists at the innovation lab tested the performance of the assay, part way through its development, on positive and negative Covid samples from our biobank. Viral RNA was extracted from the samples and tested using Kromek’s assay. Samples were simultaneously tested via PCR using established methods as a comparison.
Outcome
The innovation lab team were able to show that Kromek’s assay gave accurate results when tested against real clinical samples.
The assay has been incorporated into a newly developed technology for the automated detection of Covid-19. Successful use allows sensitive and specific ‘near real-time’ detection of Covid-19 without the use of specialist equipment, reducing the cost and expanding the reach of accurate testing.
The positive results of the testing have allowed Kromek to continue with further development of the assay and incorporation into integrated testing systems.
