Columbia Technology Ventures

Multiplexed serological platform for detection of SARS-CoV-2 exposure

This technology is a programmable, multiplexed serodiagnostic method that detects SARS-CoV-2 specific epitopes and differentiates these from other human coronavirus epitopes, allowing for precise diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

Unmet Need: Serological assays that distinguish SARS-CoV-2 from related infections

Sensitive and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 exposure is critical for clinical and public health management of COVID-19. Molecular assays are useful in diagnosing active infection, but do not provide insight into historical infections; therefore, antibody testing is needed. However, current serodiagnostic methods are expensive, labor intensive, and do not accurately discriminate among antibodies pertaining to different types of coronaviruses. There remains a need for the development of cost-effective serodiagnostic modalities that specifically and differentially detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patient serum samples.

The Technology: Platform for SARS-CoV-2 epitope discovery

This technology is a highly multiplexed, microarray-based method for the discovery of coronavirus epitopes. Functional on a variety of platforms, this method identifies peptide sequences that accurately discriminate between antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 and those for related viruses. These peptides may be immobilized to a solid support or conjugated to compounds such as ligands, enzymes, or nanoparticles. As such, this technology has the potential to serve as a SARS-Cov-2 serodiagnostic platform that would have broad applications for medicine and public health.

This technology has allowed for discrimination of antibody responses to epitopes specific to seven distinct coronaviruses. Furthermore, this technology has enabled detection of 29 highly specific IgG epitopes and 16 highly specific IgM epitopes of SARS-CoV-2.

Applications:

  • Research tool for discovery of epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses
  • Serodiagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 exposure
  • Identification of patients with SARS-Cov-2 immunity for public health and workforce safety
  • Method for screening SARS-CoV-2 antibody donors
  • Testing efficacy of vaccines under development

Advantages:

  • Accurate discrimination between antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 and other human coronaviruses
  • Cost and labor efficient
  • High throughput
  • Compatible with a wide array of platforms, including ELISA, RIA, lateral flow, western blot, and bead-based assays

Lead Inventor:

W. Ian Lipkin, M.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Status

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference:

  • IR CU20309

  • Licensing Contact: Ron Katz