New Kit enables identification and qualitative measurement of neutralising antibodies to support characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 variants and monitoring of vaccine efficacy

The Native Antigen Company, part of LGC Clinical Diagnostics and one of the world’s leading suppliers of reagents that enables research into diagnostics and vaccines for emerging and endemic infectious diseases, has announced the launch of its SARS-CoV-2 Neutralisation Assay Development Kit. The kit can be used to identify and qualitatively assess the ability of antibodies to neutralise SARS-CoV-2-receptor binding, to support research into variants and their effects on natural and vaccine-induced patient immunity.

The easy-to-use kit contains all the key reagents required to measure SARS-CoV-2-antibody binding, including the Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the prototypic Wuhan-Hu-1 strain, labelled ACE2, and positive and negative monoclonal antibody controls. These reagents enable the assessment of neutralising activity of patient and therapeutic antibodies, and can be used alongside The Native Antigen Company’s growing range of SARS-CoV-2 variant Spike proteins to assess differences in antibody/ACE2 affinities and competitive binding.

Dr Andy Lane, Commercial Director, The Native Antigen Company, said: “This marks The Native Antigen Company’s first release of a dedicated kit for the development of neutralisation assays. Our data demonstrates the SARS-CoV-2 Neutralisation Assay Development Kit’s effectiveness and we are confident in its ability to support vital research and development efforts for public health.”

The Native Antigen Company’s in-house data shows that COVID-19 patient sera is able to effectively neutralise the RBD and prevent it from binding to the human ACE2 cell surface receptor.

Learn more about the new kit

About The Native Antigen Company

The Native Antigen Company is one of the world’s leading suppliers of reagents that enable research into vaccine development and diagnostics for emerging and endemic infectious diseases. The Native Antigen Company specialises in the development and manufacture of native and recombinant viral and bacterial antigens, antibodies and immunoassays, alongside bespoke product development and custom manufacturing using its proprietary mammalian cell expression system.

The Native Antigen Company’s team has decades of experience in the isolation and purification of native antigens and high-yield mammalian cell expression systems, ensuring conformity to native type. The Company’s high-quality reagents have been widely adopted by leading pharmaceutical, in vitro diagnostic assay manufacturers, and academic groups in cutting-edge vaccine research and serology, where correct folding and glycosylation are vital.

The Native Antigen Company prides itself on an ethical and sustainable approach, exemplified by its use of 100% renewable energy and recycled packaging wherever possible, and building honest and transparent relationships with its customers and collaborators.

Founded in 2010, The Native Antigen Company is located in Oxford (UK) and has a global network of distributors.

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About LGC Clinical Diagnostics

LGC’s Clinical Diagnostics Division develops and manufactures a comprehensive portfolio of catalog and custom-developed diagnostic quality solutions and component materials for the extended life sciences industry. We partner with IVD assay developers, and pharmaceutical, CRO and academic institutions in commercialization activities across the entire diagnostic pipeline - from concept and early stage research, through expedited product development and onwards into routine clinical use. Laboratorians and diagnostic professionals across disciplines of clinical chemistry, immunochemistry, serology, molecular diagnostics and clinical genomics rely on LGC’s products to support accurate and reliable diagnostic results.

Our operating entities include SeraCare Life Sciences and Maine Standards Company, which are in vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturers of quality measurement tools (calibrators, controls, linearity, EQA/PT, biological materials) and the Native Antigen Company, which is a manufacturer and supplier of viral antigens. Our 300+ employees operate FDA-registered and ISO 13485-accredited facilities in Maine, Massachusetts and Maryland, USA, and an ISO 9001-accredited facility in Oxford, UK.