Mount Sinai researchers investigated four cytokine proteins and found that two of them were elevated in the serum samples of SARS-CoV-2 patients who fared the worst.
The London-based firm hopes to also show the clinical utility of its KidneyIntelX assay for predicting the risk of the patients' progressive kidney decline.
BlackRock, the world's largest investment manager, led the round, joined by new investors Deerfield Management and Moore Strategic Ventures as well as existing investors.
KidneyIntelX can be used to report risk assessment results for fast-progressing kidney disease and future kidney failure for patients with chronic kidney disease.
Kantaro and Bio-Techne have partnered to develop, manufacture, and distribute a kit based on a Mount Sinai assay that has received an Emergency Use Authorization.
The firm believes the multi-part stratification project will help further commercialization of its KidneyIntelX blood-based assay for acute and chronic kidney disease.
The assay, called COVID-19 ELISA IgG Antibody Test, detects human IgG antibodies in serum and plasma from individuals suspected of prior infection with SARS-CoV-2.
Biomerica intends to manufacture ELISA test technology licensed from Mt. Sinai. The firm said it has capacity to manufacture 1 million tests per month.
Such tests indicate whether a person had an immune response to the virus, which could aid infection tracking and identifying individuals with immunity.
