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@Wolfiebill, you are indeed asking about the limit of detection, or LOD, and I would point you to research done previously by Ophidian that answers this detail:
===== Posted by Ophidian (9 May 2020 23:53) =====
The Zika Affimer test detects "early" viral loads and from various sources the peak load is an average of 9.9x 10^4 or 99,000 copies per ml this implies that the Affimer detects less than 99,000 as that is pre peak. From the Lancet article (Mar 23, 2020) on Hong Kong patients:
"The median viral load in posterior oropharyngeal saliva or other respiratory specimens at presentation was 5·2 log10 copies per mL (IQR 4·1–7·0). Salivary viral load was highest during the first week after symptom onset and subsequently declined with time (slope -0·15, 95% CI -0·19 to -0·11; R2=0·71)"
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30196-1/fulltext
5.2log10 copies per ml is 158,000 copies per ml. So I would say that at onset of symptoms and probably well before the Affimer concentration on the strip is more than enough to detect the virus based on Zika.
===== END =====
In addition to the above post, Avacta mentioned 11th May they have found Affimers that also bind to the detached spike proteins, so in theory this should lower the LOD even further to below 99,000 copies per ml.
Not sure I agree with you here Scottyboy, I'm with trader72. How long prior to COVID has it takes and drug to be researched, tested, approved....its a multiyear process in most cases. Yes things are being fast tracked but to try and do that in 2 months say just opens the door for sub optimal products. Hence why everything the Govt are promoting to try and stem off a frustrated public ends up being a dud and they move on to the next candidate. I would rather wait for a product that works and it be 2 weeks late than announce a product beofre the rest and it turn out to be useless. The market will forget a delay but not a failed product, think about the long term reputational damage of all the cancer plays if we get this wrong.
Hype is a big play in pharmas at the moment, if you have a good product, get it right first time and put it out there when its ready, not before!
I don't think it would be possible for AVCT to move any quicker, They have done an amazing job on their time scales. This product is like a shop window for the company to showcase its amazing Affimer tech, rushing something out and getting it wrong would be a disaster. They said mid-Sumer I'm happy with that if things are done correctly.
I think that is a fair point and I thought the BAM test was going to be ready in May. If that’s the case then we can expect news very soon.
I love everything about what Avacta has to offer but they really do need to bring something to the table pretty soon before they miss the boat. They have a great product but the world won't wait forever. As investors we need some news from the people we are investing in.
Hi RK. I think Foxeys question was what is the limit of detection. For PCR we are talking picomolar. Is the Avacta test able to detect that level of infection or do we wait until its had time time stew for a bit?
Thank you sir.......I truly appreciate all your info and Reasearch that you provide to us all...
Wolfiebill,
In a recent communication given by Avacta when the Affimers were shipped they stated the following:
"The Affimer reagents have also now been studied further by Avacta and, importantly, this has shown that there are Affimer reagents that can work in pairs, both binding to the spike protein at the same time. This allows tests to be developed that detect both the intact virus particle and the detached spike proteins which become separated from the virus particle during the development of the COVID-19 disease, which may also be important in monitoring disease progression."
https://avacta.com/avacta-ships-sars-cov-2-affimer-reagents-to-cytiva-and-adeptrix/
This means in layman's terms that the test will determine if you have the virus, whether in the early stage, when you have symptoms and when it is fading. If you have the virus in the body you will be positive using the Avacta test. It is a binary postive/negative test.
This is why our test is going to be so important for use by everyone and anywhere.
Avacta - 'anytime and anyplace and anywhere!'
But more importantly and this is unique to Avacta is the same detector Affimers can be used to block the virus in the body and hence the massive significance to this news:
https://avacta.com/alastair-smith-video-presentation-sars-cov-2-neutralising-affimer-reagents/
I hope this helps you with your question.
Cheers, RK
RK, your comments appreciated:
Do we know at what stage of Covid infection the Avacta test actually "turns" positive? i.e. how many "colonies" (if that's the right expression) have to be present in the body to be detectable in a saliva test?
Thanks RichKen.
Maybe someone should remind Matt Han**** about points 1 to 10.
Just a quick thought but let's keep the subject with the focus on Avacta!
We just need to remember that with our antigen test we have the following key advantages:
1. The result are you positive or negative in less than 10 minutes!
2. No need to go to a swab testing station at the local hospital
3. No testing staff required, no logistics staff required, no lab technician required
4. No potential mix up with tests, no risk of medical staff contact from the patient
5. No need for a temperature test to go back to work which is a compromise in workplaces
6. If everyone in the workplace/transport hub / public venue is tested and proven free of the virus it will be safe for all.
7. No need to self isolate on arrival into countries if virus free
8. No need for social distancing if negative after test if everyone has been tested in that area?
9. Low cost to produce and to get to those who need it
10. Availablity to everyone on the planet who wants to buy one
If this test is not sorted then multiple waves are going to be a major problem for the world population, both for safety and for the world economy.
The Avacta test is a clear win solution for testing, for safe working, for safe living and to get live back to normal.
It may also be very good for the smart investors who are invested here. Eitherway it is good for the world and needed right now!
Cheers, RK