UK based SME offers their capability for manufacturing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to diagnostics developers and manufacturers

During the current coronavirus pandemic the development of accurate and rapid diagnostics tests have become a clear need. There are two challenges to this. Firstly, such tests require high quality authentic SARS-CoV-2 trimeric spike protein, which is not easy to make. Secondly, the tests and therefore the protein need to keep pace with emerging mutations in the virus protein. A UK-based biotechnology SME specialises in making such hard to produce proteins. They use a stable scalable production system in cultured human cells ensuring an authentic antigenic protein that has all the correct post-translational modifications. They are also able to make proteins to reflect the mutations that arise globally. Their spike protein is therefore an ideal key component of both laboratory-based and lateral flow testing kits and enable them to reach the highest possible performance through increased specificity and sensitivity. The UK-based SME is looking to partner with SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test developers who would be interested in using the spike antigen as a key reagent or are interested in joint development of SARs-CoV-2 diagnostic tests. The SME would provide the protein and would expect information back on performance to inform further development. It is envisaged that the partnership would take the form of a manufacturing agreement, a technical cooperation or a research cooperation dependent on particular circumstances.