Saliva-Based ELISA Tests Measure COVID Neutralizing Antibodies in Multiple Samples at Same Time

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Apr 2022

Image: Saliva-based ELISA test detects neutralizing activity in response to COVID-19 vaccination (Photo courtesy of ReaGene Innovations)

After any vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the body develops neutralizing antibodies which help fight the virus and is thus protective against infections and disease. The degree of protection offered by the vaccine depends on the neutralizing antibodies that are generated by the individual’s immune system. After some time, the neutralizing antibody decreases, and booster doses may be required. Now, two new high-throughput saliva-based ELSIA assays can detect neutralizing activity of samples in response to COVID-19 vaccination.

ReaGene Innovations (Hyderabad, India) has entered into a partnership with Lay Sciences, Inc. (Jupiter, FL, USA) for the development of two patent-pending ELISA and FAST FLOW SPOT diagnostic tests to detect neutralizing activity of samples in response to COVID 19 vaccination. The ELISA diagnostic test can be used in a hospital or pathology lab setting to quantitatively assess multiple samples at the same time. The FAST FLOW SPOT diagnostic test is a single user test that can be used by individuals in a “home” setting. Both diagnostics differ from other tests that measure neutralizing antibodies in blood samples because they only need the individual’s saliva sample. ReaGene will receive royalty payments from Lay Sciences upon the successful launch of the ELISA as well as the FAST FLOW SPOT diagnostic tests.

“Collaboration is important as it requires a concerted team effort to fight and win against a virus like COVID-19 the likes of which we have never seen before. I am also delighted that with the support of Lays Science, we will be able to globally launch these two tests, and which will help us in our fight against COVID-19,” said Dr. Uday Saxena, Scientific Co-Founder of ReaGene Innovations, who led these discoveries.

“These saliva based ELISA and FAST FLOW SPOT diagnostic tests offer yet another line of defense against the onslaught of rapidly evolving SARS-CoV-2 viral variants. These two diagnostic tests are simple and easy-to-use, and this partnership reiterates Lays Sciences’ commitment to fight COVID-19,” added Dr. Satish Chandran, Chief Executive Officer of Lay Science.

Related Links:
ReaGene Innovations
Lay Sciences, Inc.