On Jul. 15, 2020, AXIM Biotechnologies announced the development of NeuCovix^TM, a rapid diagnostic test measuring levels of functional neutralizing antibodies that are believed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 from entering the host cells.

Unlike currently available serological COVID-19 tests that detect an antibody response to the virus, AXIM’s rapid 10-minute test measures a specific subpopulation of antibodies to block binding of the virus to host cell receptors. While there are expensive, time consuming laboratory tests that measure neutralizing antibodies, NeuCovix^TM differs in that it is a portable, low cost, rapid point-of-care test with results in 10 minutes.

An immediate application of NeuCovix^TM, a point-of-care test, is to measure levels of neutralizing antibodies in convalescent plasma so that plasma with the highest levels of neutralizing antibodies can be identified and administered to patients fighting COVID-19.  Without this knowledge, many patients could be undertreated with non-neutralizing plasma and may not benefit from this treatment.

Another application of NeuCovix^TM is to help ensure that vaccines elicit high levels of neutralizing antibodies. When a vaccine is available, manufacturers can employ the NeuCovix^TM rapid, point-of-care test to evaluate protective immune responses in vaccine recipients.

AXIM also announced the filing of a pre-Emergency Use Authorization Application (EUA) and has already initiated dialogue with the FDA in order to finalize its EUA submission. The intellectual property relating to the novel serological test is the subject of Provisional Patent Application No. 63/023,646 “Convalescent Plasma Testing and Treatment” filed on May 12, 2020.