Member Info for Marmited

March 25, 2021 -- The new coronavirus variants are not just problems for humans.

New research shows they can also infect animals, and for the first time, variants have been able to infect mice, a development that may complicate efforts to rein in the global spread of the virus.

In addition, two new studies have implications for pets. Veterinarians in Texas and the United Kingdom have documented infections of B.1.1.7 — the fast-spreading variant first found in the U.K. — in dogs and cats. The animals in the U.K. study also had heart damage, but it's unclear if the damage was caused by the virus or was already there and was found as a result of their infections.

https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210325/covid-variants-detected-in-animals-may-find-host-in-mice

Performance characteristics

Clinical (diagnostic) sensitivity (or Positive Percent Agreement)- Desired
For RNA extraction based assays a greater than 99% (with 95% two-sided confidence interval entirely above 97%).

Clinical (diagnostic) specificity (or Negative Percent Agreement) - Desired
For RNA extraction based assays and those assays which detect SARS-CoV-2 directly from clinical samples a greater than 99% (with 95% two-sided confidence interval entirely above 97%).

Comparison method - Desired
RT-qPCR or dPCR reference methods.

Analytical sensitivity (Limit of Detection (LOD)- Desired
=100 SARS-CoV-2 copies/mL

Clinical utility- Desired
Evidence that using the test improves system and individual outcomes (for example, time to diagnosis, subject’s experience, use of pre-cautionary COVID-19 isolation facilities).

Turnaround time- Desired
Less than 90 minutes from sample to result.

Throughput- Desired
More than 200 tests in unit per 4 hours

Hands-on time- Desired
Less than five minutes per sample

Presentation of results- Desired
Results do not require post run analysis (automatically called). Ability to access raw data e.g. RT-qPCR/RT-LAMP fluorescence traces

Volume of sample- Desired
Depends on sample type, but no more than 0.5mL

Disposal requirements-Desired
No additional disposal requirements beyond normal laboratory practice. Any special containment or disposal requirements need to be clearly specified

Training needs (Time dedicated to training session for end users)- Desired
Less than half day training needed for laboratory staff

Immediate supply volumes (Tests per week, within 4 weeks) - Desired
10,000 tests per day

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-tests-and-testing-kits-for-coronavirus-covid-19-work/target-product-profile-laboratory-based-sars-cov-2-viral-detection-tests

Target Product Profile: Laboratory-Based SARS-CoV-2 Viral Detection tests
Updated 23 March 2021

Intended use - Desired
Multiplex - Determining current infection by detecting SARS-CoV-2 virus in samples from people of all ages at any point during active infection and differentiating from other respiratory infections

Target population - Desired
People with or without clinical signs associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Target use Setting - Desired
Healthcare and Medical Laboratories

Test format - Desired
A standardised kit that contains all materials required for the laboratory procedure that includes controls, reagents and Instruction for Use (IFU).
All accessories needed to perform the assay and sample processing included, with the exception of routine laboratory consumables such as pipettes, pipette tips, disinfectants, screw cap eppendorfs, heat blocks, fluorescent readers etc.

SARS-CoV-2 Target - Desired
Dual (or more) SARS-CoV-2 RNA

Analyte - Desired
Multiplex panel for a range of infectious respiratory viruses
Detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, and/or influenza B virus, RSV A & B

Sample type - Desired
Oral Fluid

Compatible sample collection- Desired
Test is validated for use with saliva and/or non-propriety collection media

Result output- Desired
Semi quantitative

Size- Desired
Standard mains power supply with UPS and the capability for battery power.

Ease of use and result interpretation- Desired
Suitable for target user groups (i.e. trained healthcare professionals)

Well I don’t know about that but cheers icesteel.

Paraytec wins at “The Oscars of Invention”

The R&D 100 Awards, “The Oscars of Invention” provide companies with a mark of excellence which is recognised by industry, government and academia as proof that the product is one of the most innovative ideas of the year. In it’s 45th year, the R&D 100 Awards have been providing companies, like Paraytec, with a platform from which to launch into the international marketplace.

http://www.gspkdesign.ltd.uk/paraytec-wins-at-the-oscars-of-invention/

Read the RNS’s. All the facts are within these documents.

Or, get over it, do a bit of research and perhaps you could make some money.

It’s not going to be bad as the previous RNS stated it already meets MHRA standards. The question is just how good is it going to be once fine tuned.

Maybe also because this product is unique, it will be the first reusable device that is also market leading in speed and quite possibly accuracy. This is the device which can open up society and quite possibly reignite the Governments moonshot ambitions. IMO

All I see is the government spending billions in one off testing devices. We can save 100’s and 100’s of millions and perhaps even billions using a device that is reusable rather than these throw away one offs.

I’ve no idea! But it does show just how well our tech is going to slot in. Quick, accurate, simple to use and reusable so therefore cost effective.

School's Covid test trial stops pupils having to isolate

Now the government is inviting schools and colleges to sign up for a clinically-overseen trial of daily contact testing - and a number of schools have already joined an early phase of the trial.
It means that instead of having to learn from home, students who are close contacts can remain in school as long as they agree to be tested for Covid daily for seven consecutive school days.

Westhoughton headteacher Patrick Ottley-O'Connor and school business manager Ann Butler, the trial lead, said the team jumped at the chance to join the early phase and said pupils are already seeing the benefits.

"However, owing to this new pilot, our son has been able to remain in school. After a turbulent 12 months, I think that this trial is a positive step forward to enable the children to remain in school, not only for their learning, but also for their social and mental well-being.”

The daily testing was something the government initially said it would bring in to secondaries and colleges from January to help prevent disruption, but concerns over the accuracy of lateral flow test results prevented that happening.

A government spokesperson said: “Schools and colleges are being invited to participate in a clinically-overseen trial of daily contact testing.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/schools-covid-test-trial-stops-20246470.amp

I would not rule out an additional increase in speed.

‘ The average time to acquire test results is CURRENTLY less than 120 seconds, a market-leading value.’

Cheers. I thought it was a fair and question and not one I had considered. For me, seeing that deal highlights the desire for this new tech. The products are for home testing and not the market we are aiming for. However, if a throw away cheap device can achieve that, than I expect our reusable device to be far more powerful.

I’m not. I’m promoting the tech. The next Generation of tests. IMO.

Ellume wins $232M deal for fluorescence-based Covid-19 home test kits

03 Feb 2021

Ellume, a Brisbane, Australia, company that has developed an optics-based rapid antigen test for Covid-19 suitable for home use, has won a $232 million contract with US authorities that should lead to a huge increase in production.

Said to be the the first rapid self-test for Covid-19 detection authorized by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for both asymptomatic and symptomatic use without a prescription, Ellume’s device relies on fluorescent nanoparticles and simple optoelectronics

Aside from the Covid-19 test kits, Ellume is working on rapid test kits for diagnosing both tuberculosis and influenza, and previously agreed a partnership with pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline

https://optics.org/news/12/2/5

Photonics21: EU needs to invest more in photonics now to fight future infectious diseases and pandemics

Strong investment in photonics will help us fight infectious diseases that kill an unimaginable number of people and prepare us against future pandemics, says Dr Jürgen Popp of the Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI) that is currently under construction in Jena.

Light offers promising new solutions to tackle infectious diseases that kill millions of people every year

Urgent action needed from EU and governments to invest in photonics technologies

South Korea invests €2.8 Billion per year, China €1 billion – whereas entire EU investment is €100 million p.a.

Investment in photonics is more crucial now than ever. Fast, clean and precise, photonics can build advanced diagnostics, pervasive monitoring and innovative e-health applications that can detect body signals, symptoms and diseases at very early stages.

To tackle future pandemics, medical and health practitioners will need to be equipped with next-generation specialist tools that provide instantaneous diagnostic information that is inexpensive and easy to deploy and should operate at a point of care to the patient.

https://sciencebusiness.net/network-updates/photonics21-eu-needs-invest-more-photonics-now-fight-future-infectious-diseases-and

U.S. Congress Launches O&P Caucus

First up was Bruce Tromberg, director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bio-engineering and head of the Rapid Scaling Up of COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing in the U.S.—graciously abbreviated as the RADx Initiative.

Speaking from a biophotonics point of view, Tromberg explored the impact that optics and photonics technologies have had in advancing cutting-edge methods, discoveries and devices in biology and medicine.

Using coronavirus as a case study, Tromberg said that when the RADx Initiative was funded, he knew that “we had game-changing optics and photonics technologies that were ready to jump from research labs to the marketplace. But these methods needed to be combined with molecular assays and undergo intensive de-risking and validation prior to investment.”

As of today, RADx has invested US$520 million in 27 companies for manufacturing expansion, and that “virtually all of these platforms depend on optics and photonics technologies to reveal the presence of an invisible virus.” According to Tromberg, this shows how biophotonic advances and government–academia–industry partnerships can dramatically change the world.

https://www.osa-opn.org/home/newsroom/2021/february/u_s_congress_launches_o_p_caucus/

Optics and photonics enable the fight against COVID-19

Jan 27th, 2021

From the initial sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and the ultraviolet LEDs used in air filtration to spectroscopy-based diagnostic tests like real-time PCR, optics and photonics are enabling the fight against COVID-19.

” With all of this in mind, there is no doubt that photonics will continue to enable not only the next-generation technologies for this current pandemic, but will play a critical role in combating pathogens for the foreseeable future. “

https://www.laserfocusworld.com/biooptics/article/14188801/optics-and-photonics-enable-the-fight-against-covid19

Every buy is also a sell. Every sell is also a buy.
You cannot buy if no one is selling, you cannot sell if no one is buying. Some borrow what is not there’s to sell (without asking) but they do have to buy it back.