NEW YORK — ProMis Neurosciences, a Canadian developer of antibody therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases, said on Wednesday that it has partnered with researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) to develop a test to assess immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
According to ProMis, it will work with a team led by UBC's Hans Frykman to develop a high-throughput serological assay that can detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Such a test, the company said, could help identify who has virus immunity and who remains at risk for infection.
"This exciting collaboration brings together our broad experience in developing sensitive and highly accurate serological tests with ProMis' unique ability to create peptide antigens based on rational identification of the site and shape of epitope targets on complex protein structures, such as those displayed on the surface of the virus causing COVID-19," Frykman said in a statement. "We anticipate that the predicted specificity of the ProMis peptide antigens for the antibody response to COVID-19, without cross-reactivity with other coronavirus infections, will be an essential component for the rapid development of a highly sensitive and accurate serological assay."