3-minute read
written by
Petr Kašík
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On June 22 2020, DIANA Biotechnologies won the COVID-19 Hack the Crisis hackathon with its ultra-sensitive tests. Within three months, the tests were among the most used in the country. In total, the company delivered over 200,000 tests. They are used by the largest laboratories in the country, such as the Zdravotní ústav Ostrava, Hospital Na Bulovce, University Hospital Plzeň and GHC Genetics. Every day, laboratories use more than 4,000 tests from DIANA Biotechnologies, so the company provides about a fifth of the country's testing capacity, and the number of laboratories using the company's technology continues to grow. DIANA Biotechnologies now has saliva tests in the final stages of development, which will further increase the testing capacity of the Czech healthcare sector.
It is a gentle method of collection and the most sensitive method of detection, which does not require an uncomfortable nasopharyngeal swab and provides very accurate and reliable results. PCR testing at BIOCEV is comparable in cost to some antigen tests. In addition, a positive tester does not have to follow the lengthy path of requesting an electronic request form from a physician and another PCR test. This also reduces the risk of infecting other people.
"Out of 2,000 antigen tests performed, we only had two positive cases (0.1%). In contrast, comparative testing targeting the highest risk subgroup of 330 employees using the screening method of PCR from saliva, yielded 3.6% positives. The approach developed by DIANA Biotechnologies thus quickly provides a realistic picture of the overall situation and allows for early resolution by isolating infected individuals. In addition to the much higher sensitivity and gentle self-sampling from saliva, a major advantage of this method is the stability of the samples for 72 hours, allowing sampling even in a three-shift operation with a turn-around mode. The small size of the sample tubes and the carousel storage system facilitate the storage and transport of hundreds of samples. Standard QR codes and their matching with 2D scanners also help to ensure high testing efficiency. The cost of early detection and isolation of a single infected person is more cost-effective for us than blanket measures and more severe restrictions on production. The results of the PCR testing assure us that we have a trusted partner in BIOCEV and DIANA Biotechnologies in the fight against COVID-19, as our top priority is to protect our employees and ensure the supply of medicines," says Pavel Šebek, Director of Development at ZENTIVA Pharmaceuticals. The latter is among the ten companies and institutions that have decided to fight the pandemic more effectively by sending their samples to the BIOCEV centre.
The cost of PCR testing has been significantly reduced thanks to several factors. First and foremost, the so-called self-sampling by employees and the actual registration of samples using a reader and a code at the bottom of the tube. Robotics also help scientists in testing, eliminating the need for laborious manual RNA isolation. With a volume of dozens of samples per week, the price is CZK 400,- excluding VAT per sample. Test results are known via SMS within 3-6 hours. Another advantage is the possibility of obtaining a certificate for work trips abroad.
"I am very pleased that BIOCEV is building high-throughput testing on our technology. The saliva PCR tests developed by us are more pleasant, easier and faster compared to PCR tests performed with a nasopharyngeal swab. In fact, they have been proven to be even more sensitive in practice. This makes them ideal for regular testing in hospitals, companies and schools and helps to prevent the spread of infection in collectives. A key advantage is that we develop and manufacture the tests in the Czech Republic and there is no need to rely on foreign suppliers. If there is a clear demand for PCR tests from saliva, we are ready to produce two million tests per month within weeks," says Václav Navrátil, Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer of DIANA Biotechnologies.
Ruth Tachezy, virologist at the Faculty of Science of the UK at the BIOCEV centre, also supports PCR testing: 'Antigen tests are not suitable for testing asymptomatic individuals across the board. If there is not enough capacity for PCR testing, they can be used, but basic conditions must be met. Select good quality (validated) tests, perform correct collection and ensure standard test performance. Last but not least, the test must be repeated at an interval of 3 days," explains Ruth Tachezy, adding: "Compared to PCR, these tests usually give a significantly worse result when self-sampled. With PCR, it is possible to process a large number of samples quickly and reliably, while also detecting virus mutations and reliably combining this method with many types of self-sampling. When using PCR for area testing, it can be performed at intervals of 7-10 days. This method is particularly suitable for investigating children who have a lower viral load and for whom conventional nasopharyngeal sampling is burdensome."
Media contact:
Petr Kašík+420734513384
E-mail: [email protected]
About DIANA Biotechnologies
DIANA Biotechnologies, a.s. is a Czech biotechnology company with strong in-house research and development. The company was founded in 2018 with the aim to develop applications of the patented DIANA technology in diagnostics and drug development. However, the company's portfolio is now significantly broader. It is currently targeting global markets in three main areas: 1) development and production of PCR products for diagnostics and life science, 2) development of proprietary original low molecular weight drugs and provision of services to the pharmaceutical sector, and 3) development of antibodies for diagnostics and therapeutics. In the field of molecular diagnostics, the company has become the largest Czech manufacturer of PCR tests for COVID-19 and other viral diseases and is now making its mark abroad thanks to its innovations in PCR diagnostics. The company is built on a team of top scientists with unique expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, organic and medicinal chemistry, pharmacology and laboratory automation. DIANA Biotechnologies aims to become a multinational biotechnology company developing its own original diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. For more information about the company, please continue to www.dianabiotech.com