Avacta claims development could lead to early Zika diagnosis

Avacta said it found three 'Affimer' proteins capable of binding to a form of secreted Zika virus non-structural protein (NS1). The Affimer binders were identified within 13 weeks of receiving the virus target.

The three Affimer binders are specific to the Zika NS1 protein and can be differentiated in human serum from other viruses with similar symptoms to Zika such as Dengue, Yellow Fever, West Nile, and Japanese and tick-borne Encephalitis.

There is no validated antibody that can detect Zika virus specifically, which has hampered progress in developing an early diagnostic test.

Concerns have been raised about the spread of the virus, which is mainly spread through mosquitoes, ahead of the upcoming Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the virus is most prevalent.

Avacta aims to commercialise its rapid diagnostics based on Affimer proteins through co-development and licencing to other diagnostic developers, such as to British company Mologic.

The AIM-listed company said the speed of it detecting the new protein binders makes its technology ideal for rapidly responding to detection and monitoring of outbreaks. A rapid response to infectious diseases was demonstrated by the recent SARS and Ebola outbreak in west Africa.

Chief executive Dr Alastair Smith said: “The identification of these three Affimer binders means that new diagnostic tests could be developed that have the potential to diagnose a Zika infection from its early stages, and would be suitable for low cost, rapid point-of-care diagnostics that could be deployed widely in the field or at US transport hubs for example.

After being identified in Brazil in early 2015, the Zika epidemic is ongoing in South America and the Pacific. The World Health Organisation declared a public health emergency in February 2016 as babies were being born with birth defects and neurological problems.

Avacta shares rose by 0.89% to 102.40 at 1157 BST.