This technology is a rapid at-home and point-of-care molecular diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 that uses readily available and inexpensive reagents and is suitable for widespread daily testing.
Early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection can help mitigate transmission by preventing exposure of infected individuals, but testing can be expensive, difficult to access, and uncomfortable. Conventional tests require expensive equipment, so they cannot be self-administered at home. It can also take multiple days to receive test results due to the complexity of tests and associated backlogs and reagents may be in short supply. All of these factors hinder widespread and consistent testing of the workforce, which would otherwise slow the spread and reduce the disease burden of COVID-19.
This diagnostic test detects viral SARS-CoV-2 RNA in saliva of individuals. It uses simple reagents, can be performed at home by an untrained user, and provides results within 45 minutes. The test components are affordable, easy to access, and can withstand a freeze-thaw, making this test feasible for daily use by the workforce, students, or for screening at ports of entry to slow the spread of COVID-19.
This technology has been validated with synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA spiked in saliva and with patient saliva.
[Patent Pending]
IR CU21091
Licensing Contact: Joan Martinez