Oxford University and Prenetics collaborate to scale rapid testing tech globally
The University of Oxford, Prenetics Limited, a global leader in diagnostics and genetic testing, and Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR) have signed collaboration agreements to further develop the award-winning OxLAMP technology, a rapid, molecular testing technology for infectious diseases.
Professor Zhanfeng Cui, the Donald Pollock Professor of Chemical Engineering at Oxford University and Founding Director at OSCAR, said: “The initial collaboration with Prenetics has exceeded all expectations and their team led by Danny Yeung has been highly involved on a daily basis with our scientific developments. When we think about the future, especially with the pandemic, it’s very apparent that testing is here to stay with us for years to come. With this in mind, we are excited about the future roadmap in which we develop novel scientific discoveries to aid the world with fast and accurate molecular testing globally. Our goal is to decentralize laboratory testing with rapid, highly accurate, molecular testing, not just for COVID-19 but for all infectious diseases. I’m confident we can succeed in our mission with Prenetics.”
Following the successful acquisition and commercialization by Prenetics of Oxsed, an Oxford University spin-out company, it was envisioned that a deeper scientific and long-term collaboration would be formed to advance molecular diagnostic testing for global unmet needs.
The first OxLAMP RaViD Direct SARS-CoV-2 product has been developed to help global communities world-wide with rapid, portable, accurate results for the detection of COVID-19. OxLAMP tests are capable of identifying the presence of COVID-19 in just 20 minutes without the use of a traditional laboratories, with 96% sensitivity / 99.9% specificity and have been put into use at airports globally. The OxLAMP test for SARS-CoV-2 has already received CE-IVD, MHRA approval and efforts are underway for a submission to FDA under the EUA protocols for SARS-CoV-2.
A new Prenetics Innovation Technology Centre (ITC) for Advanced Molecular Diagnostics has been established, which will be based in OSCAR, Oxford University’s first overseas centre for research in physical and engineering sciences, located in China’s Jiangsu Province. The Prenetics ITC will bring together leading researchers in bio-sensing, clinical virology, microbiology and medical devices in efforts to enrich technology development for molecular diagnostics. In parallel, a research programme has been initiated in the University of Oxford in the UK.
