Synthetic antibody demonstrates Omicron detection along with all other variants of concern

MIP Diagnostics Ltd. has today announced that its synthetic SARS-CoV-2 antibody (COVID-19 nanoMIP) can detect the Omicron variant as well as previously proven Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma variants of the COVID-19 virus.

MIP Diagnostics, the leading manufacturer of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) - commonly termed synthetic antibodies - has demonstrated that its COVID-19 nanoMIP can detect the increasingly dominant Omicron variant. The synthetic antibody has already been shown to detect the other variants of concern - Alpha, Beta, Delta and Gamma.

Initial assessment using pharmaceutical grade molecular modelling software demonstrated the COVID-19 nanoMIP should be able to detect the Omicron variant, and this has now been confirmed via laboratory testing. The COVID-19 nanoMIP was shown to detect the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spike protein (Native Antigen Company) in buffer using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), with a magnitude of specific response comparable to other variants of the virus previously tested. Third party validation in a separate sensor device will be carried out shortly.

Originally developed in under 8 weeks, the MIP Diagnostics COVID-19 nanoMIP offers IVD manufacturers a host of benefits including high selectivity and sensitivity demonstrated to the picogram level in a number of COVID-19 sensor devices. The robust nature of MIPs, when compared to antibodies, will also provide the superior shelf life and storage properties required by the IVD market as self-testing becomes more prevalent across multiple disease states following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the new data, Alan Thomson, CTO at MIP Diagnostics said, “In pandemic situations, a fast response is essential, and our advanced molecular modeling software had already been utilised to assess the performance of the COVID-19 nanoMIP against the Omicron variant in-silico. This new data has confirmed our initial findings, and not only demonstrates the capabilities of the COVID-19 nanoMIP, but also supports the wider progress toward robust, non-animal derived reagents in the IVD industry.”

The Exchange, Colworth Park, Bedford, MK44 1LQ, UK

Keli Stockbridge| Marketing Manager
Keli.stockbridge@mip-dx.com | +44 1234 589 725

MIP Diagnostics is a technology leader in the field of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs). The business has developed a novel, proprietary design and development process to make nanoMIPs; nano scale molecularly imprinted polymers that act as synthetic alternatives to antibodies. They are highly specific, sensitive, and robust, enabling new applications where antibodies have reached their limits. They are suitable for use in IVD assays, interference removal, biosensors and other industry applications. MIP Diagnostics offers a custom MIP development services and is now growing a portfolio of off-the shelf nanoMIPs to meet the needs of the IVD industry.

This release was published on openPR.