MicrotoxPD detects 3 COVID variants of concern

RNS Number : 8679Y

Deepverge PLC

19 January 2022

 

DeepVerge PLC

(AIM:DVRG)

("DeepVerge" or "the Company")

Analysis of Microtox®PD chips coated with Optimer binding agents detect 3 common variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Modern Water Mobile Services will launch with Alpha, Delta and Omicron detection capability

DeepVerge confirms that analysis to investigate the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus on Microtox®PD chips coated with Optimers[i], binding agents provided by Aptamer Group plc (AIM:APTA), has detected 3 common variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Modern Water Mobile Services[ii] (RNS December 10, 2021), due to launch later this quarter, will have Compact Microtox®PD units with the ability to test for all 3 variants to detect and quantify the spready of COVID-19 in the community.

Scientists at the York, UK, Laboratory, have successfully populated the binding agents on the chips using an anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody, that was raised against the Alpha variant. While variation of detection of all 3 variants was observed, both Delta and Omicron variants had a higher affinity to the Optimer coated chips than Alpha.

The Company believes these results validate the expansion of the York facilities to accommodate containment level 3 to work on dangerous pathogens, which include SARS-CoV-2.

Gerard Brandon, CEO of DeepVerge plc, commented:

"The body of research, protocols and methods created at the York, UK laboratories, working with the science team at Aptamer Group, and the ability to work with the real virus, offers confirmation and sets standards that allow for rapid advances in testing of our partner's binding agents, so that we can ensure that the latest detection capabilities are available when we roll-out the Compact Microtox®PD COVID detection units through Modern Water Mobile Services which was featured on SKY News earlier this month. (video link here https://vimeo.com/666742992)

"The extended scientific community will now have the ability to monitor the virus in real-time and require testing for new variants of concern. "

For further information please contact:

DeepVerge plc	Gerard Brandon, CEO	[phone]
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser)	Neil Baldwin/Andrew Emmott	[phone]
Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Limited (Broker)	Andy Thacker/James Pope	[phone]

About DeepVerge plc (www.deepverge.com)

DeepVerge is an environmental and life science group of companies that develops and applies AI and IoT technology to analytical instruments for the analysis and identification of bacteria, virus and toxins. Utilising artificial intelligent data analytics to scientifically prove the impact of skincare product claims on skin microbiome for most of the top 20 global cosmetic company clients and remotely detect and identify in real-time, dangerous pathogens in wastewater treatment plants, drinking water, rivers, lakes and reservoirs.

About Aptamer Group plc (www.aptamergroup.com)

Aptamer Group develops custom affinity binders through its proprietary Optimer® platform to enable new approaches in therapeutics, diagnostics and research applications. The Company strives to deliver transformational solutions that meet the needs of life science researchers and developers through the use of its proprietary Optimer platform.

Optimer binders are oligonucleotide affinity ligands that can function as an antibody alternative. The global antibody market is currently worth over $145bn. Optimer binders are engineered to address many of the issues found with alternative affinity molecules, such as antibodies, and offer new, innovative solutions to bioprocessing, diagnostic and pharmaceutical scientists.

Aptamer Group has successfully delivered projects for global pharma companies, diagnostic development companies, and research institutes covering a range of targets and applications with the objective of establishing royalty-bearing licenses. Through the unique Optimer technology and processes, scientists and collaborators are enabled to make faster, more informed decisions that support discovery and development across the Life Sciences.

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[i] https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/APTA/optimer-binder-shown-to-detect-omicron-variant/15289220

[ii] https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/DVRG/compact-microtox-r-pd-launch-scheduled-for-q1-2022/15245142

 

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