UK-based The Native Antigen Company has commercially introduced novel coronavirus antigens to help fight the ongoing epidemic. The recombinant antigens were obtained from the strain, emerged in Wuhan, China, by using the company’s mammalian, VirtuE expression system.
These antigens help in infectious disease research, as well as the development of diagnostics and vaccines. The Native Antigen Company commercial director Dr Andy Lane said: “Our mission is to reduce the global burden of infectious disease by developing the highest-quality reagents in rapid response to emerging public health threats.
“As one of the first recognised suppliers to release 2019-nCoV proteins, we are proud to be able to offer these antigens to in vitro diagnostics and pharmaceutical researchers to help drive the development of serological assays and vaccines that will be vital in stemming the spread of this disease.”
Antigens facilitate the development of serological assays to detect asymptomatic patients. They can also provide reagents to measure vaccine responses, aiding the construction of a vaccine against the virus.
