Novel ApameR-Based Rapid Test Technology for Virus Detection

Rapid care tests and patient-oriented bedsite testing, termed as point of care (POC) testing, have proven unanticipated relevance for the fast detection and containment of the pathogen in the course of the corona pandemic. We have developed RNA aptamer based sensors as a basis for a novel rapid care test.

The sensor will give a florescent signal once the target molecule attaches to its aptameric site.

The sensor as the main component of a novel POC test will be produced by a cheap and scalable biotechnological synthesis.

The unique selling points of our invention are the cheap and scalable production of the sensor molecule and the high flexibility in terms of analytes that can be covered by aptamers.To proof our concept and to demonstrate the applicability of our aptamer sensors we will choose the avian influenza virus as an use case, based on the high relevance of this disease in veterinary medicine and its perception as a high risk disease for the next human pandemic.

Our test will comply with the ASSURED criteria of the WHO: affordability, sensitivity, specificity, user friendliness, rapid and robust, equipment-free and deliverable to end-usersOur aim is to establish a RNA aptamer based sensor as a basis for a cheap single-use test according to the ASSURED criteria.

In this action, we will establish the applicability of our highly sensitive and selective RNA based sensor.

We will devolop a prototype of a POC test and test the novel sensor principle under laboratory and environmental conditions.

In addition, we will analyse the market and patent situation and the stepstones to be taken for an approval by the European authorities. We will finally establish our own IPR position as a basis for the further road-to-the-market.