Integumen signs deal for Covid-19 detection in wastewater

(Sharecast News) - Integumen has signed a material transfer agreement with the Aptamer Group, it announced on Monday, to develop and manufacture aptamers to detect SARS-CoV-2, or Covid-19, in wastewater.
The AIM-traded firm said the aptamers had the potential to play a "key role" in the real-time identification of localised Covid-19 hotspots in wastewater, from which authorities could be alerted through its real-time alert system, to help prevent the spread of the disease to the wider community.

It said the agreement formalised its access to Aptamer Group's raw materials for coating aptamers on silicon wafer surfaces at nano-scale.

Integumen said it would provide the Aptamer Group with access to its UK Sand Hutton manufacturing facilities, which specialise in laboratory-grown human skin equivalents specifically designed to host bacteria, viruses and fungi.

A pilot batch of the aptamers would be tested on Integumen's SARS-CoV-2 model virus, and once initial testing is complete in two months, validation on the real SARS-CoV-2 virus would be carried out at the containment level 3 laboratory at the University of Aberdeen.

Upon completion of the validation study, Integumen and the Aptamer Group would enter into a longer-term supply agreement, with Integumen manufacturing and commercialising real-time pathogenic virus and bacteria detection devices through its production, sales, marketing and distribution channel partners around the world.

"Integumen's business model is built on collaborating and cooperating with partners such as the Aptamer Group who have technologies that deliver solutions to major societal problems like Covid-19," said chief executive officer Gerard Brandon.

"Surveillance and testing of waterways for the presence of bacteria and viruses has recently gained recognition as an important step in identification of Covid-19.

"This collaboration is yet another example of the diagnostics industry working together to rapidly bring effective solutions in the fight against this global pandemic."

At 1628 BST, shares in Integumen were up 1.22% at 1.82p.