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This was the headline last May and now almost 6 months later we all need to ask Al what is going on. His email is first name dot last name at avacta dot com if you want to get some answers
https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/business/prototype-saliva-test-for-covid-19-ready-in-weeks-after-avacta-ships-affimer-reagents-to-cytiva-9109899/
Prototype saliva test for Covid-19 ‘ready in weeks’ after Avacta ships Affimer reagents to Cytiva
Chiron - are you Welsh?
I think i speak for Al and all here STFU you boring Hunt.....;-)
I think someone needs to TELL Al his shareholders are getting irate at the delays especially for BAMS test. Stop worrying about manufacturing many millions of tests and start with a few thousand and get a start from there! Al you seem stuck mate.
You look for rationality Chiron but i look for irrationality. There should have been simple affimer LFT out there weeks ago and it took a resurgence for HMG to get serious as it wasn't going away. The regulators/Porton Down and the rest of them just get their knickers in a twist.
Consider the timeline-
1. CONDOR launches 22nd June,
2. AVACTA announce CONDOR will validate BAMS and 'support' clinical validation of test strips (rapid test) 22 July,
3. DHSC commission Porton Down to evaluate lateral flow devices (with Oxford-part of Condor) August 15.
4. Today we find out specifically testing for saliva AND for home testing device.
I've personally tried to contact CONDOR for some evidence of the slightest bit of progress on the programme-total silence. I've seen no output from Condor even to report 'failed' tests.
Entirely my own hypothesis but I suspect the 'delay' (used very loosely) may be that Condor may have spectacularly under delivered in the 63 days we've been part of their assessment, hence calling upon Porton Down. I may of course be wrong.
I'm now more assured with the release of the updated validation at Porton Down document referenced earlier we will see positive developments very soon on all fronts. AS may well update us to this effect on Monday.
As always- all the best,
Chiron
Bump
Looks like Roche are manufacturing the Sd biosensor one. And at the volumes Avacta need to ramp up to.
Avacta really need a partnership with a major pharma to manufacture at the scale of the demand required.
An RNS confirming a major manufacturing partner (over and above BBi and Abindon would be great.
Ignore the weird question marks!
?So Phase 2 minimum acceptable performance is 96% specificity and 53% sensitivity??
?The updated Avacta website describes the specificity of Affimers as ‘exquisite’.?
Ah thanks Ophidian - I didn't spot that one was antibody. Thanks also for your posts in general, which are very helpful to read.
As you say, if we can get 4,000 units out for evaluation then we're on - or off!
So you can see why the cost of the tooling would be an issue for a manufacturing partner - I do wonder if some of that extra funding to 'unlock' new technologies (recent government announcements) will emerge as having gone to BBI et al to allow the validation to proceed...
I suppose we shall find out!
@benbenbenben - one is an antibody test, the other two are swabs.
We need to supply 4,000 units (proper LFD units in cases not just strips as before) to Porton Down then we're at the races. The protocol should be simple for the Avacta LFD to pass and pass well.
Ophidian
Also worth a look at the 3 they've already evaluated - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessment-and-procurement-of-coronavirus-covid-19-tests/lateral-flow-devices-results
Perhaps this is where the '80% sensitivity' figure being bandied around is coming from?
Just published by UK GOV-
'Protocol for evaluation of rapid diagnostic assays for specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens (lateral flow devices)' it's worth reading as most is relevant.
'DHSC will identify a pipeline of products – direct viral antigen detection lateral flow devices and distributed amplification tests – that could enable saturation testing for SARS-CoV-2 through comprehensive and repeated whole population home-testing....findings will be reported to the Oversight Group, with DHSC and ministers using this information and any recommendations to inform potential purchasing decisions'
Interestingly only mentions using saliva (from Porton Down staff!) as the specimen type. Also reiterates governments desire and forward plan. Avacta well positioned.
All the best,
Chiron
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessment-and-procurement-of-coronavirus-covid-19-tests/protocol-for-evaluation-of-rapid-diagnostic-assays-for-specific-sars-cov-2-antigens-lateral-flow-devices