OXFORD: Oxford Nanopore Technologies Limited has announced that it is in advanced development of a new generation of end-to-end test (assay) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The LamPORE assay is designed to be rapid, low cost, and scalable to cater to on-demand analysis of smaller sample numbers, to very large numbers of samples. LamPORE is based on Oxford Nanopore’s DNA/RNA sequencing technology, in combination with a simple, sample-preparation method (loop-mediated isothermal amplification, plus Oxford Nanopore’s ‘rapid kit’).

It seeks to understand whether a sample currently contains SARS-CoV-2 (rather than detecting antibodies that may indicate a previous infection).

LamPORE is the first assay that the Company has developed in-house with intended use in diagnostic applications, subject to relevant authorisations that the Company is currently pursuing. Oxford Nanopore is planning to deploy LamPORE for COVID-19 in a regulated setting initially on GridION and soon after on the portable MinION Mk1C.

IP Group holds an undiluted beneficial stake of 16.4% in Oxford Nanopore.

Alan Aubrey, Chief Executive of IP Group, said: “Oxford Nanopore has been supplying countries all over the world with sequencing capability throughout this pandemic and it’s exciting to see the first diagnostic assay developed in-house, using their expertise, technology and networks to help support the response to this crisis.”

Since the first emergence of the virus, Oxford Nanopore’s rapid, portable sequencing technology has been used extensively for COVID-19 epidemiology and scientific research.