Aegea Biotechnologies, Inc. Announces Significant Progress on Development of Two Distinct COVID-19 Tests
June 18 2020 - 8:37AM
InvestorsHub NewsWire
Both of these COVID-19 diagnostic tests are being
developed under the collaboration agreement with Tauriga Sciences
Inc. (OTCQB:
TAUG) (“Tauriga”).
NEW YORK, NY and SAN DIEGO, CA -- June 18, 2020 --
InvestorsHub NewsWire -- Aegea Biotechnologies, Inc. (“Aegea”)
(www.aegeabiotech.com), a biotechnology company
focusing on the development and commercialization of next
generation nucleic acid clinical diagnostic technologies, announces
progress on the development of two COVID-19 diagnostic tests, each
applying technology from different issued Aegea
patents. Both of these COVID-19 diagnostic tests are
being developed under the collaboration agreement with Tauriga
Sciences Inc. (OTCQB:
TAUG) (“Tauriga”).
The high-sensitivity, high specificity COVID-19 PCR assay
under development (the “SARS-CoV-2 Test”) utilizes technology from
US Patent 9,834,817, entitled METHODS FOR DETECTING NUCLEIC ACID
SEQUENCE VARIANTS. This assay is designed to be run on
most PCR-based instrument platforms. Aegea is applying
its patented and clinically validated technology to deliver an
enhanced level of genetic information without sacrificing time or
introducing any cumbersome processing steps. The key advantages of
the higher level of sensitivity and specificity are reduction or
elimination of false positive and false negative results, the
ability to identify which strain of SARS-CoV-2 is present, and the
potential to use oropharyngeal swabs or lavage samples instead of
nasal swabs. Oropharyngeal swabs would be much more
convenient and comfortable for patients, but they have lower viral
loads.
Aegea has selected its gene target region for its
SARS-CoV-2 Test and has already configured the assay. Aegea is
in the process of optimizing assay performance and is working with
a certified CLIA laboratory to analytically and clinically validate
the assay using COVID-19 patient
samples.
In addition to the high sensitivity, high specificity
PCR-based SARS-CoV-2 Test, Aegea is using another of its patented
technologies to further expand COVID-19 testing to very simple
devices appropriate to point-of-care and remote testing (the
“Lateral Flow CoV Test”). This assay is designed to be widely
accessible by providing results within 30 minutes using a small,
portable device, without the requirement for PCR
instrumentation. The Lateral Flow CoV Test uses
isothermal amplification as covered by Aegea’s issued US Patent
10,174,352 for METHODS FOR AMPLIFICATION OF NUCLEIC ACIDS ON SOLID
SUPPORT. This methodology combines the capture of nucleic acid
targets of interest, together with isothermal amplification on
solid surfaces. Because this method works at a single uniform
temperature, it can be used with a very simple lateral flow device
in point of care and remote settings. The technology works directly
with RNA targets, which is suitable for COVID-19 testing, as the
SARS-CoV-2 genome is a single stranded
RNA.
Aegea has made good initial progress in its development of
the Lateral Flow CoV Test. The assay steps have been
outlined, and the initial specifications for the microfluidics
component and the initial design for the overall device have been
completed. Importantly, Aegea is currently in the
process of doing feasibility studies for using saliva (without the
need for swabs or collection tubes) for the Lateral Flow CoV
Test.
“We believe that Aegea’s patented technologies can be
utilized to provide two different COVID-19 tests,” said Lyle
Arnold, Ph.D., Aegea’s President and CEO. “The high sensitivity PCR
based test will provide accurate, more nuanced genetic information,
which can be useful in managing disease spread in the current and
future pandemics. The isothermal, lateral flow test can
enable frequent testing in convenient settings with low
instrumentation requirements.”
Tauriga’s CEO, Mr. Seth Shaw, states, “Tauriga strongly
believes that each of Aegea’s tests in development has significant
market potential. We continue to be enthusiastic about
the progress being realized, with respect to its Collaboration
Agreement with Aegea.”
ABOUT AEGEA
BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Aegea Biotechnologies, Inc. located in San Diego,
California, is a biotechnology company focusing on the development
and commercialization of next generation nucleic acid technologies.
A primary focus for the company is nucleic acid technology
innovations that embrace molecular diagnostic assays, qPCR
technologies, sequencing methods including both Sanger and NGS, and
rapid point-of-care COVID-19
testing.
ABOUT TAURIGA
SCIENCES INC.
Tauriga Sciences, Inc. (TAUG)
is a revenue generating, diversified life sciences company, engaged
in several major business activities and initiatives. The company
manufactures and distributes several proprietary retail products
and product lines, mainly focused on the Cannabidiol (“CBD”) and
Cannabigerol (“CBG”) Edibles market segment. The main product
line, branded as Tauri-Gum™, consists of a proprietary supplement
chewing gum that is both Kosher certified and Vegan formulated (CBD
Infused Tauri-Gum™ Flavors: Mint, Blood Orange, Pomegranate) &
(CBG Infused Tauri-Gum™ Flavors: Peach-Lemon and Black Currant).
The Company’s commercialization strategy consists of a broad array
of retail customers, distributors, and a fast-growing E-Commerce
business segment (E-Commerce website: www.taurigum.com).
Please visit our corporate website, for additional information, as
well as inquiries, at www.tauriga.com.
Complementary to the Company’s retail business, are its
two ongoing biotechnology initiatives. The first one relates
to the development of a Pharmaceutical grade version of Tauri-Gum™,
for nausea regulation (specifically designed to help patients that
are subjected to ongoing chemotherapy treatment). On March
18, 2020, the Company announced that it filed a provisional U.S.
patent application covering its pharmaceutical grade version of
Tauri-Gum™. The Patent, filed with the U.S.P.T.O. is Titled
“MEDICATED CBD COMPOSITIONS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING, AND METHODS
OF TREATMENT”. The second one relates to a collaboration
agreement with Aegea Biotechnologies Inc. for the co-development of
a rapid, multiplexed, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) test with
superior sensitivity and
selectivity.
The Company is headquartered in New York City and operates
a regional office in Barcelona, Spain. In addition, the
Company operates a full-time E-Commerce fulfillment center located
in LaGrangeville, New York.
DISCLAIMER -- Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking
statements” as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 which represent management’s beliefs and assumptions
concerning future events. These forward-looking statements are
often indicated by using words such as “may,” “will,” “expects,”
“anticipates,” believes, “hopes,” “believes,” or plans, and may
include statements regarding corporate objectives as well as the
attainment of certain corporate goals and milestones.
Forward-looking statements are based on present circumstances and
on management’s present beliefs with respect to events that have
not occurred, that may not occur, or that may occur with different
consequences or timing than those now assumed or anticipated.
Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in
forward looking statements due to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties, such as are not guarantees of general economic and
business conditions, the ability to successfully develop and market
products, consumer and business consumption habits, the ability to
consummate successful acquisition and licensing transactions,
fluctuations in exchange rates, and other factors over which
Tauriga has little or no control. Many of these risks and
uncertainties are discussed in greater detail in the “Risk Factors”
section of Tauriga’s Form 10-K and other filings made from time to
time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such
forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this
release, and Tauriga assumes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
TAURIGA SCIENCES, INC.
555 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Seth M. Shaw
Email: sshaw@tauriga.com
cell # (917) 796 9926
Instagram: @taurigum
Twitter: @SethMShaw
Corp. Website: www.tauriga.com
E-Commerce Website: www.taurigum.com
AEGEA BIOTECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Stella M. Sung, Ph.D.
Chief Business Officer
Email: ssung@aegeabiotech.com
Corp.
Website: www.aegeabiotech.com
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