Avacta rapid Covid-19 test detects Delta variant in study

Diagnostics and cancer therapies developer Avacta Group announced on Tuesday that a study has shown that its ‘AffiDX’ antigen lateral flow test detects the ‘Delta’ variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in clinical samples.

The AIM-traded firm added that in the small study, it also outperformed two lateral flow antigen tests that were already commercially available in Europe.

It explained that lateral flow antigen tests are intended to provide a cost-effective and rapid means of identifying individuals with a high viral load, which means they are more likely to infect others with Covid-19.

The clinical data for the AffiDX SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test demonstrated 100% sensitivity for identifying infectious individuals with viral loads measured by PCR of Ct<27, which is considered infectious.

Avacta said the SARS-CoV-2 virus, like most viruses, mutates over time to create different variants, with those that have a biological advantage becoming a dominant strain.

The Delta variant, first identified in India, had recently emerged and had greater infectivity, which could rapidly become a dominant strain worldwide.

Avacta said the AffiDX SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test was evaluated with a small number of patient samples confirmed to be Delta variant-positive and, for a Ct<29, the test was shown to correctly identify all the positive cases.

In the study, two other commercially available lateral flow tests were evaluated, with one test detecting half of the positive cases, and the other detecting none.

The AffiDX SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test is CE-marked for professional use in the UK and the European Union.

Avacta recently appointed the first distributor for the test, Calibre Scientific, and was progressing multiple commercial opportunities with other distributors and professional end users in Europe and the UK.

“We are delighted to report that the AffiDX SARS-CoV-2 antigen lateral flow test detects the Delta variant with very high sensitivity for patients with a Ct value of less than 29,” said chief executive officer Dr Alastair Smith.

“This is a variant of the virus that is spreading rapidly on a global scale and therefore the ability of the test to detect this variant is paramount to our commercial roll-out.

“In comparison with other lateral flow tests on the market, Avacta's rapid antigen test demonstrates better clinical performance.”

Dr Smith said it was a “further huge validation” of the Affimer reagent platform for use in in-vitro diagnostics.

“This excellent performance and ease of nasal sampling, coupled with the fact that the AffiDX test has been developed in the UK, is based on UK technology and is manufactured in the UK are huge selling points for customers in Europe.”

At 0852 BST, shares in Avacta Group were up 7.44% at 186.95p.