The SARS-CoV-2 CoronaCheck from Exhalation using ZP/Aliksir virus detection sensors was deliberately designed and patented to be future proofed for future SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron.
A key part of this patented sensing technology is that it targets the surface of the virus, specifically those elements of the virus surface which give the virus its transmissibility and lethality.
As SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as Omicron, have emerged their increased rate of transmittance means that it is easier for CoronaCheck System to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus within the patient sample.
The ZP Sensing/Aliksir technology at the heart of CoronaCheck is unlike other SARS-CoV-2 detection technologies and has many advantages over other technologies as discussed below.
Lateral flow strips - Lateral flow strip for COVID-19 detection is a post infection test for COVID-19, and so does not work if someone is newly infected and/or has not shown a 'significant' immune response.
RT-PCR - Though RT-PCR is held as the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis it is not necessarily a 'good' technology for rapid testing in a point of care format (PoC). This is because the workflow for RT-PCR is multi-stepped, including: lysis, purification, reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, amplification, and detection.
The ZP Molecular In-vitro Diagnostics Group are experts in developing molecular biology assays.
Symptomatic Sensors - A viral infection can be associated with raised patient temperature, coughing and with some viruses sneezing. Though it seems elegant to diagnose COVID-19 from temperature and coughing these are not accurate due to the false positive and false negative rates. Regarding temperature and coughing these symptoms are associated with a plethora of diseases including asthma and influenza infections, so relying on them to diagnose COVID-19 can lead to high rates of false positives. With regard to COVID-19 among the young it is possible to have SARS-CoV-2 but for the patient to be asymptomatic and so relying on symptoms with an asymptomatic patient can lead to a false negative result.