Unique Science The current version of the ProMIS-BCNI antibody test achieves 99.90% sensitivity and 99.50% specificity for SARS CoV-2, the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 and can be used to detect immune exposure to the virus. But the key step in development of a ‘best in class’ test is to create an assay that not only detects the presence of antibodies specific for the SARS CoV-2 virus but importantly, also allows to determine whether or not the detected antibodies have neutralizing activity, potentially conferring protection from COVID-19. As previously announced, using its unique technology platform ProMIS has identified 18 potential antibody targets (also called peptide antigens) that appear to be unique to the spike protein halo of SARS CoV-2. The next phase of ‘best in class’ assay development will involve testing to determine whether the antibodies that bind to one or more of these peptide antigens, as determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), are neutralizing antibodies.
“Starting next year, and throughout 2021 and beyond, we anticipate that billions of people will receive COVID-19 vaccines,” stated ProMIS executive chairman, Eugene Williams. “This is an unprecedented effort that showcases the capability and commitment of our industry. But it also means that billions of individuals will be vaccinated with very little information about the durability and variability of response to these new vaccines. We expect that vaccine companies worldwide and top research hospitals and government agencies will be looking for high volume, accurate, next generation serology tests with the ability to deliver more nuanced data regarding neutralizing antibodies. That is the rapidly emerging unmet need we are looking to serve as we progress development of our potentially ‘best in class’ SPR-based serology assay.”