# Avacta Group expands rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test manufacturing capacity

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/avacta-group-expands-rapid-sars-cov-2-antigen-test-manufacturing-capacity/412855398
- Published: 2020-09-02T07:29:44+01:00
- Author: Giles Arbor

**[Avacta](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/company/avacta-group-plc/avct.l)
Group plc** ([AIM: AVCT](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ftse-company/avacta-group-plc/avct.l)),
the developer of Affimer^(®) biotherapeutics and reagents, has announced that it
has entered into an agreement with Abingdon Health for the manufacture of Avacta’s
saliva-based rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test as part of its ongoing expansion of manufacturing
capacity.

Avacta, in partnership with Cytiva, is developing a rapid test strip for use with
patient saliva that aims to provide a result in a few minutes, indicating whether
the patient is currently infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The test has 
the potential to be used for frequent mass testing of the population to promptly
identify infectious individuals so that they can be isolated and treated, thereby
reducing the spread of infection.

The company recently announced a manufacturing partnership with BBI Solutions to
develop and validate a scaled-up manufacturing process for the rapid coronavirus
antigen test. Avacta, Cytiva and BBI are in the process of technology transfer of
the prototype and related manufacturing procedures for the test. Avacta aims to 
begin clinical validation of the test as soon as possible using the first pilot 
batches.

Abingdon Health provides innovative rapid testing solutions to a global client base
and has Europe’s largest lateral flow test contract manufacturing capacity. Abingdon
Health’s two sites in York and Doncaster, UK are able to produce millions of rapid
tests per month.

Technology transfer to Abingdon Health will begin immediately with the aim of manufacturing
an equivalent rapid antigen test product which therefore does not require additional
clinical validation/regulatory approvals. The agreement with Abingdon Health will
provide additional manufacturing capacity that could increase to several millions
of tests per month.

> **Dr. Alastair Smith, Chief Executive of Avacta Group commented:**
> “I am delighted to have partnered with Abingdon Health to expand the manufacturing
> capacity for Avacta’s rapid saliva-based COVID-19 test.
> Authorities around the world are now looking to carry-out frequent mass testing
> to identify the most infectious people promptly in order to reduce infection rates
> and combat the coronavirus pandemic. That requires a highly specific test to minimize
> false positives which would otherwise overwhelm healthcare systems. The Affimer
> reagents that we have generated are very specific to SARS-CoV-2 antigen and we
> are confident of meeting and exceeding the clinical performance requirements for
> identifying the most infectious people.
> Manufacturing capacity is therefore the key challenge that has to be met in achieving
> widespread roll-out of Avacta’s saliva-based rapid antigen test. We therefore 
> continue to actively seek additional manufacturing partners globally to be able
> to provide the volume of tests that will be required in the UK and elsewhere. 
> I look forward to updating the market on progress in that regard, and will keep
> the market informed on the key next steps of clinical validation and regulatory
> approval.”  

> **Chris Yates, CEO of Abingdon Health commented:**
> “We are pleased to be working with Avacta on this saliva-based COVID-19 test. 
> Abingdon Health is working at the forefront of COVID-19 rapid testing and we are
> delighted to expand our reach further to support deployment of mass testing to
> help in the fight to combat the COVID-19 global pandemic.
> We have invested in our manufacturing capacity over the past few months and stand
> ready to support deployment of high volume, quality, rapid lateral flow tests.”

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