Moraga Biotech Corporation  is currently pursuing a public fund raising effort to raise at least $100,000.00 to $250,000.00 in donations for developing quantitative immunoassay tests and kits for rapid detection of specific antibodies in the saliva.  Identifying antibodies in the saliva is important because they reflect immunity in the mucous membranes.  The mucosa is the initial barrier and the body’s first line of defense against invading microbes.  Antibodies secreted in the mucous provide the initial immunologic barriers against most pathogens that invade the body at a mucosal surface.  This is particularly true for viruses, since resistance to infection is strongly correlated to the amount of antibodies present in the mucosal secretions.  Since the novel coronavirus initially infects the mucous membranes of the mouth and nasal passages, screening for the presence of anti-viral immunoglobulins in the salvia provides a more accurate picture of immunity and the body’s ability to ward off future novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

 
Today, most antibody screening and rapid test kits use blood plasma or serum for their tests.  However, some of the antibodies isolated in the saliva are either in lower concentrations or not found in the blood.  Serological tests for COVID-19 antibodies may produce unreliable and false results; particularly, in the point-of-care and home testing kits where a majority of the test kits are inaccurate, not very sensitive, and not very specific.  On the other hand, our rapid quantitative saliva tests will be designed for specificity, accuracy, reproducibility and sensitivity.  More importantly, it will be deployed for identifying functional antibodies and antibodies that can neutralize the virus from spreading and infecting other cells. 


To address this urgent, unmet need during this COVID-19 pandemic, we propose saliva antibody testing will provide a more accurate picture of immunity and protection to coronavirus infections in convalescing and recovered individuals as well as those who are asymptomatic.   The immune status of healthcare professionals, EMTs, firefighters, hospital workers, grocery workers, and other essential workers is critical information they will need in order to re-enter the workplace with a high degree of confidence where physical distancing is problematic.  


The funds will be used:

1.   To purchase laboratory reagents and immediately utilize our laboratory personnel to perform quantitative (Enzyme-Linked ImunnoSorbent Assays/ELISA) tests in screening for specific antibodies against viral proteins found in the saliva and compare differences to those found in the blood of infected or suspected asymptomatic individuals.

2.   To conduct ELISA tests that will generate a quantitative antibody profile of the type and concentration of immunoglobulins isolated from the salvia and compare the results to the antibodies found in the blood.

3.   To develop in parallel, a miniaturized digital rapid diagnostic kit approximately the size of a small matchbox.  Utilizing state-of-the-art technologies, a rapid saliva antibody test would be inexpensive and fabricated as a laboratory test kit on a microchip in which the test results should be completed within approximately 5-10 minutes.  The test kits will be designed for their ease of use and requires only a small amount of saliva.

4.   To develop in a partnership with a software developer a mobile phone app that allows the tests to be conducted and monitored in real time from a mobile phone.  The test results will be processed with algorithms imbedded in the app that analyzes the data, present a quantitative antibody profile and the level of immune status of the test subject.

5.  To have a website dedicated for instructions on using the kit, trouble shooting, and in certain cases validation with ELISA test results for samples sent to the laboratory.  The website will also allow one to anonymously upload their test results to a cloud-based server in which public health epidemiologists can analyze the test results to identify clusters or areas of the country where there could be a potential outbreak due to a low level of herd immunity within a specific population.

 

Disclaimer: For the purposes of clarification, Moraga Biotech Corp. has not made any warranty, either expressed or implied (including, without limitation, the warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) and/or affirmation that the products and/or services shall come to completion. By making a donation you acknowledge your understanding of the foregoing and knowingly waive all rights to bring any legal claims or equitable remedies against Moraga Biotech Corp., its subsidiaries, assignees, licensees, employees, and independent contractors.

To learn more about Moraga Biotechnology, please visit here .