Genuinely transformative chemistry
Our chemistry reduces production costs and improves the sensitivity of diagnostic tests.
Here's how.... A standard lateral flow test is comprised of several parts. One of the most expensive is antibodies. Antibodies are used in two parts of the test.
1. Gold nanoparticles are coated in antibodies with a view to catching antigens (also referred to commonly as the marker/label/target).
2. Antibodies are also deposited on the T (target) line of the test, ready to catch any particle containing the antigen (if present).
How the antibodies are arranged, affects their ability to catch/receive antigens - and affects the reliability of the test.
Our chemistry is a surface binder that optimises the arrangement of antibodies into their prime catching position. Improving test sensitivity and reducing the amount of antibodies required to improve its reliability.
Dual affinity binding mechanism
Gemina’s technology is a novel “Dual Affinity” Binding Mechanism
The top binder can be tuned to enable a large universe of biomarker systems. Hence for the first time the catcher can include alternatives to antibodies
The linker can have additional elements to enable further functionality
The bottom binder can be tuned independently to enable catchers to be attached to materials other than nitrocellulose.
Gold binding protein
Coating gold nanoparticles with antibodies is relatively inefficient and ineffective in terms of cost and accuracy. The random nature of their configuration means that as little as 30% of the catchers (antibodies) are likely to be in a suitable position to receive an antigen.
Using our binding mechanism improves the efficiency and sensitivity of the test by ensuring that all catchers are in the optimum orientation to accept antigens, if present.
Cellulose binding protein
More antibodies are deposited on the T (test) line of the lateral flow test. Nitrocellulose is a suitable substrate, but is also inefficient in ensuring that the antibodies are oriented to catch antigens.
With our proprietary chemistry creating a stand for the catcher, they are all arranged in an optimum position to receive antigens if present. Nitrocellulose can be replaced by other substrates, including paper and the number of antibodies required can be reduced by up to a factor of 8.
More surface binding proteins
Our chemistry can be tuned to bind to more surfaces than gold, nitrocellulose and paper.
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This unlocks the door to numerous alternatives to traditional constituent parts of lateral flow tests. Increasing the options for even greater effectiveness, efficiencies and environmental friendliness..
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Better products at lower costs. As far as we're aware - there's no downside.