Anitoa Introduces Rapid, On-Site Test for Coronavirus

Anitoa Systems, a Silicon Valley biotech company, has demonstrated a solution for rapid on-site nucleic acid test of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Anitoa combines a high performance ultra-portable Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) instrument called Maverick, with an innovative “one-step” reverse transcription qPCR (RT-qPCR) reagent for testing 2019-nCoV. This solution eliminates the process of package and transporting patient samples to a central lab and the additional steps of tedious sample-prep prior to running RT-PCR. This saves time and reduces risks of cross-contamination. Moreover, Anitoa’s solution is more accurate, as it avoids false-negative readings due to the degradation of viral RNAs in the sample when transported. 
 
Since the outbreak of the 2019-nCoV in China at the turn of the new year, more than 2,600 lives have been lost and many more are negatively impacted. Since there is a 2 percent to 3 percent death rate from this virus and it may be transmitted by exposed individuals who show no symptoms, an effective screening test for the virus is vital for controlling this outbreak.
 
With Anitoa’s solution, patient samples, such as throat or nasal swaps, can be applied directly to the portable instrument on-site without the need to freeze, transport and thaw the samples. The Maverick RT-qPCR device has a sophisticated 4-plex optical multiplexing subsystem to detect multiple gene targets in one sample, and it take about 30 minutes from sample to results.  Maverick is powered by a CMOS biosensor chip developed by Anitoa. The CMOS biosensor integrates many sensing and processing functions necessary for qPCR in a single silicon chip, thus significantly reducing the footprint and cost of the device.
 
Having a R&D center in Hangzhou China, Anitoa tested its solution in hospitals and CDC-labs of China with actual patient samples. Early test results with Maverick solution showed a 97 percent accuracy, with 99 percent specificity.
 
“We are encouraged by the very promising performance results of the Maverick solution in detecting the 2019 new coronavirus. We want to contribute everything we have to help fight and prevent the spread of this terrible and deadly disease,” said Dr. Zhimin Ding, CEO of Anitoa Systems. 
 
The Anitoa Maverick instrument and test kit is provided as a turn-key solution for detecting 2019-nCoV. Anitoa is in the process of applying for clinical clearance under emergency use authorization (EuA) regulations in both the United States and China.