Genedrive (AIM:GDR) and Cytiva will collaborate to develop the Genedrive® 96 SARS-CoV-2 assay for use on lab-based PCR instruments which will be used to provide a test for Covid-19.
The molecular diagnostics specialist said the deal with Cytiva - formerly known as GE Healthcare Life Sciences - forms one of two assay programmes its developing following a previous announcement in March.
The Genedrive® 96 SARS-CoV-2 assay combines Genedrive's PCR chemistry integrated with Cytiva's LyoStable® stabilisation technology.
The combination would allow the manufacturing of over 10,000 tests per hour in a 96-well, temperature-stable plate format that can be transported globally without refrigeration.
“We have extensive experience working with the Cytiva team on assay development and manufacturing for our Point of Care HCV, AIHL, and military programmes,” said David Budd, Chief Executive Officer of Genedrive.
The group said it was working to have the product available within the next five weeks.
Shares in Genedrive were trading 37.07% higher at 79p during Monday morning.
The group recognises the likelihood that millions of people will need to be tested, and say that high throughput PCR molecular testing like its own model will play a central role.
Gabriel Fernandez de Pierola, the general manager of Genomics and Diagnostics at Cytiva said the spread of Covid-19 is driving an “urgent need” for extensive testing, particular amongst patients and healthcare workers.
“Critical to overcoming the pandemic is being able to produce high volumes of reliable tests which can be shipped easily on a global basis with minimal environmental impact.
We hope our Lyo-Stable technology coupled with Genedrive's high throughput testing solution will help deliver technical solutions to address the current crisis,” he said.
Follow News & Updates from Genedrive here: