- Sixth Wave (SIXW) has improved the sensitivity of its nanotechnology to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus
- Reaching sensitivity measurements of 1,000,000 virus particles/mL means that infectious persons who are actively shedding the virus can be detected
- Research at the University of Alberta’s Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology
- Precision testing for the virus will remain critically important for the foreseeable future
- Sixth Wave’s technologies focus on the extraction and detection of target substances at the molecular level
- Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (SIXW) opened trading at C$0.33 per share
Sixth Wave (SIXW) has improved the sensitivity and capability of its nanotechnology to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
A high level of sensitivity is crucial to detecting infectious patients, and an important clinical weapon in the struggle to control the global spread of the Covid pandemic.
“Reaching sensitivity measurements of 1,000,000 virus particles/mL is a huge technical achievement,” says Dr. Michael Joyce, a virologist who carried out the research at the University of Alberta’s Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology.
“At this level, infectious persons who are actively shedding the virus can be detected.”
Testing was carried out using live SARS-CoV-2 virus and SIXW’s fluorescent-based pseudo-ELISA in their BSL 3 certified facilities. The pseudo-ELISA test uses the company’s patent-pending Accelerated Molecular Imprinted Polymers (AMIPs) technology.
“We have been very impressed with the capabilities and rapid development of the AMIPs technology,” says Dr. Joyce. “The technology has now shifted from a proof-of-principle phase to the point of achieving the technical objectives required for clinically relevant prototypes.”
Consistent outbreaks of the SARS-CoV-2 virus demonstrate the magnitude and complexity of trying to reverse a worldwide pandemic. High levels of virus mutation have led to multiple variants, notably the Delta variant which has swiftly become the predominant driver of breakthrough infections in vaccinated populations.
All evidence points to an extended coexistence with COVID-19, meaning that precision testing for the virus – such as that demonstrated by Sixth Wave’s successful testing and the related products it is developing – will remain critically important for the foreseeable future.
The ability of Sixth Wave’s AMIPs technology to rapidly detect variants offers the potential for health professionals to keep pace with a constantly changing diagnostic environment. Published market analysis indicates the overall market for COVID-19 diagnostic testing alone is expected to continue to grow for the next few years, remaining at levels higher than 2020 through at least 2027.
Dr. Garrett Kraft, Vice President of Innovation at Sixth Wave spoke about the importance of the research.
“With this technical milestone we are fulfilling the sensitivity requirements for many of our intended end-use applications for high throughput screening. These types of applications are of special interest to Sixth Wave because they take advantage of the robust and low-cost nature of the AMIPs technology and address an unmet need in the marketplace.”
The company is quickly moving through a program of development and scale-up milestones toward a wide range of AMIPs virus rapid detection devices. The spectrum of prospective products will include SIXW’s SmartMask™ offerings, in addition to smart-clothing, PPE applications, airborne sensors, breathalyzers, ELISA-based technologies, cartridge/lateral flow designs, and others.
SIXW has filed two patents regarding the AMIPs™ technology and its application to specific products that can utilize AMIPs™.
Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. is a nanotechnology company focused on the extraction and detection of target substances at the molecular level.
Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (SIXW) opened trading at C$0.33 per share.
