New methods of manufacturing polymers and an improved understanding of surface chemistry lead to groundbreaking method of rapid immunoassay digital diagnostic testing
Platform Diagnostics has developed a novel digital pregnancy test for the over the counter (OTC) market.
New methods of manufacturing polymers and an improved understanding of surface chemistry have allowed the company to exploit capillary agglutination technology (Cat), and devise a groundbreaking method of rapid immunoassay digital diagnostic testing.
The patented technology underlying the electrochemical sensor and self-powered digital signal generation allows the test kits to be manufactured economically.
Quantifiable results in a low-cost reader meet the need for a disposable non-subjective self-test. There is also an increasing demand for point-of-care (POC) tests with an unambiguous digital output.
Most existing rapid tests are based on membrane lateral flow agglutination technology, where both the amount of reagent bound to the surface of the membrane and the flow rate are variable.
Results are interpreted qualitatively, with the added risk of non-specific binding over time leading to false positives.
Cat technology provides a platform which can be used for any immunoassay test and the company is aiming to demonstrate in the next few months that it can provide quantifiable results in a low-cost reader.
For proof of concept, the company will focus on pregnancy.
The initial digital test will be followed by a pregnancy health monitor to detect levels of specific hormones affecting the outcome of pregnancy, particularly the risk of miscarriage in the first two trimesters.
To encourage early and widespread adoption of the technique, Platform Diagnostics is looking to license the technology and support third parties through the provision of starter kits and consultancy advice.
Such an agreement removes the capital expense of capillary manufacture and allows small as well as large companies to investigate the technology.
