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FORNY20-FORNY2020

UltraZyme – Enzymatic tools for ultrafast, sensitive and specific detection of viral infectious diseases at Point-Of-Care

Alternative title: UltraZyme - Enzymatiske verktøy for ultra-rask, sensitiv og spesifik deteksjon av virale infeksiøse sykdommer

Awarded: NOK 5.0 mill.

Viral pandemics such as COVID-19 are major global health threats and we need effective disease monitoring strategies to battle major outbreaks. The identification of humans carrying the virus is essential and early detection is our best chance to prevent these outbreaks. Simple, quick, and accurate tests that can be used at home or near the location of the patient are highly preferred, and while antigen tests are easy to use and were indispensable during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, they still lacked the preferred accuracy such as the hospital-based PCR test. In the Ultrazyme project we want to develop an enzyme tailor made for use in molecular based self-tests like antigen tests, but with the accuracy of PCR-based tests. As our enzyme works well at ambient temperatures, no sophisticated equipment is required. By succeeding with this project, we believe that Ultrazyme can provide the enzymatic solution for quick and cost-efficient test for disease identification and monitoring. Importantly the test can be performed without need of highly trained health personnel and specific equipment.

Funding scheme:

FORNY20-FORNY2020