London research firm cites 'breakthrough' in creating COVID-19 test kit

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A London medical research firm has developed a COVID-19 test kit promising speedy results.

Calling it a “breakthrough” in research, Diagnostics Biochem Canada is awaiting final approval from Health Canada, expected within weeks, on three test kits it has developed that identify whether someone has antibodies fighting the coronavirus, meaning they suffer from the virus.

The test requires simple, non-intrusive blood work, costs less than $5 and results can be known in about two hours, said Manon Hogue, chief executive of the business.

“This will give government a degree of knowledge about how many had the disease and who gets a vaccine,” said Hogue.

“We are working every day on this, to find a solution. We are doing everything we can.”

The tests look for a concentration of antibodies and results can be seen in most cases about three days after the virus is contracted, although in some it may take up to 10 days depending on the person’s immune system, said Jorge Cruz, research director for the Diagnostics Biochem.

“It indicates the person was infected and it may take a few days. Every person is different,” he said.

The virus is fatal to some and presents as little more than a cold to others, he said. Still, there is value in knowing who has had the illness.

“It will help with epidemiological studies. It will give us a good map of where the disease was in the population,” he said.

Since those who have had the virus may be at reduced risk of getting sick again, the diagnosis may help determine who should get a vaccine when one is invented, Hogue said.

In addition, if researchers are looking for blood donors in their effort to create a vaccine, testing can create a larger pool, said Cruze.

“The blood of these individuals will help to steer a path for a new vaccine,” he added. “From a scientific point of view it is a breakthrough. It is very difficult to identify the antibody.”

The three tests being created by Diagnostics Biochem DBC test for the specific immunoglobulins: IgM, IgG, and IgA. Each test is designed to detect specific antibody classes that may be produced during different stages of infection and will  determine whether a person is in the early stages of the illness, has been infected from three to 10 days, or for more than 11 days.

“We were developing kits that are unique. We are finishing our research now and working with technology to test for COVID-19,” said Hogue.

“We are in the final stages and working with Health Canada very closely to make sure our tests meet their criteria.”

It not clear now whether having antibodies means a person will not get COVID-19 again, but it is likely there is a reduced risk, she said.

“This technology measures the concentration of a virus. The technology we are developing makes sure antibodies you have in your body fight against the virus,” said Cruz.

“The medical society is still determining whether people who have antibodies are immune, but at least this allows government to determine the degree of the immunity across the population and it could help authorities establish how we move out of this lockdown. There is a good chance people who have antibodies will be immune, but we don’t know yet for sure. We need more evidence.”

Diagnostic Biochem researchers and scientists are working with the National Research Council and Health Canada, said Hogue.

Diagnostics Biochem Canada has been in business in London since 1973 and has a staff of 39. It does medical research and manufacturing, developing test kits for “a range of diseases,” said Hogue.

It moved about three years ago into a new, 3,200 sq. metre office on Neptune Crescent.