16 Nov 2020 07:00
16 November 2020
DeepVerge PLC
("DeepVerge" or "the Company")
Update on detection of COVID-19 products
First deployments of Microtox PD in Ireland
License of patented breathalyser for Microtox BT COVID-19 breath test and initiation of Phase 3 field trials
DeepVerge has commenced deployment of near-source wastewater contamination test equipment ("Microtox PD") into water treatment plants in Ireland, with first shipments to China and the US expected by year-end.
Microtox PD units, retrofitted with AI based optofluidic pathogen identification scanners, are also being shipped to the University of Aberdeen CAT3 laboratory, adding to the ongoing trials with the live SARS-CoV-2, supplied by Public Health England.
In addition, DeepVerge has agreed to license a patented breathalyser from PulMoBioMed Limited ("PBM"), a spin-out technology company of Northumbria University, to capture SARS-CoV-2 particles in breath condensate for the DeepVerge optofluidic breath test ("Microtox BT").
Phase 3 field trials are expected to begin shortly at multiple sites in Northern England. In collaboration with EcoWaterOS consortia partners, aggregated anonymised data will provide datasets for AI model simulations from human volunteers who will undergo COVID-19 testing with a combination of Microtox BT, a lateral flow antigen test and a rt-PCR test. Sufficient datasets are anticipated to be complete early in 2021.
Gerard Brandon, CEO of DeepVerge, Commented:
"Phase 3 field trial testing is the last step to establish permanent anonymised mass surveillance of dangerous pathogens in wastewater, in real-time. The field trials will combine the deployment of Microtox PD wastewater units and daily testing of individual volunteers with a Microtox BT breathalyser test, a lateral flow test and a PCR test. The data from these tests are expected to simultaneously identify the source of COVID-19 cases, identify COVID-19 clusters, and indicate the size of each cluster in real-time. As the data grows, AI will offer the potential to predict the trajectory of growth of future clusters of Sars-CoV-2 or any future dangerous pathogen. As we progress towards commercialisation, PulMoBioMed's patented technology will enable a quick roll-out of our Microtox BT breath test once field trials have completed. We look forward to reporting the results in due course."
Dr Sterghios Moschos, MD of PulMoBioMed, added:
"We are delighted to be working with the team at DeepVerge and adding our PBM-Hale device for collecting exhaled breath condensate to the Microtox BT Project, and look forward to combining our respective technologies to deliver a real-time solution for the mass surveillance of COVID-19."
For further information please contact:
DeepVerge plc | Gerard Brandon, CEO
| +44 (0) 7340 055 648 |
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser)
| Neil Baldwin/Andrew Emmott | +44 (0) 113 370 8974 |
Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited (Broker) | Andy Thacker/Zoe Alexander | +44 (0) 20 3657 0050 |
About DeepVerge plc (www.deepverge.com)
DeepVerge is a scientific research and AI-as-a-Service company focused on production and analysis of bacteria, virus and toxins utilising artificial intelligent data analytics in regulatory technology, from scientifically proving the impact of skincare product claims on skin microbiome for top 10 global cosmetic company clients to remotely detecting water contamination in real-time.
In November 2020, DeepVerge acquired Modern Water who developed and commercialised a cutting-edge technology, focused on monitoring of contaminated water and decontamination of wastewater, making recycling of water more efficient. Six countries across the world have legislated that Modern Water monitoring test systems are written into their environmental protection legislation. The Company is in final trials for its real-time contamination product, Microtox PD, for the identification of COVID-19 hotspots and other pathogens.
About EcoWaterOS (www.ecowaterOS.com)
Developed by the Rinocloud division of DeepVerge, this is a consortium of partners operating a live dynamic water management system that delivers safe clear water from rivers to wastewater treatment plants using Artificial Intelligence to provide instant alerts from remote sensors direct to stakeholders. It continuously evolves, learns and improves by bringing together multiple existing and smart technologies to create efficient water and deliver environmental protection. Over-the-air monitoring keeps stakeholders constantly up to date with web and mobile alert applications adapted for each group.
About PulMoBioMed Limited
PulMoBioMed is spin-out technology company from Northumbria University who have created a non-invasive device designed to collect exhaled breath condensate free from saliva.