Achiko Concludes Phase 1 Study of Project Gumnuts for Covid-19 Testing
- Completion of Phase 1 Testing Demonstrates 91% Sensitivity and 85% Specificity
- Further Optimization Studies are Currently Being Performed and are Expected to Continue to Improve Results and Match WHO Standards
- Next Steps are Completion of Regulatory Approvals and Moving the Technology to Market as Soon as Possible
ZURICH, Switzerland, Jan. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Achiko AG (SWX: ACHI, ISIN CH0522213468) along with Regenacellx.sl, announces the completion of their Phase 1 study, for the group’s patent pending, nanoparticulate DNA aptamer conjugate and diagnostic testing technology, Project Gumnuts. Following a successful in vitro study conducted in 2020 by the University of Rovira, Tarragona, Spain, the current series of studies in Spain and Indonesia were conducted by IS Global (The Barcelona Institute for Global Health), and both Riau University and Madani Pekanbaru City District Hospital, respectively.
The study conducted in Barcelona involved translating the Rovira laboratory protocol into a clinical setting using the original prototype materials. A sample of 82 participants collected over 3 months and across a range of scenarios was compared and cross-referenced against positive and negative results obtained through RT-PCR. An initial manual read yielded a result of 80% sensitivity and 63% specificity. Subsequent application of software and machine learning yielded a result of 91% sensitivity and 85% specificity.
“We are encouraged by the progress of Project Gumnuts in the field,” said Dr Michael Edel of Regenacellx.sl and Inventor of Project Gumnuts. “The chemistry offers possible advantages over other approaches especially in the areas of consumer experience, stability and cost and we’re looking forward to the further development of the technology.”
The ongoing studies in Pekanbaru, Indonesia are being conducted with both the original prototype conjugate (Barcelona study) and additionally with a new conjugate with applied improvements. To date, over 250 patient tests have been compared with results obtained through nasopharyngeal swabs with 20 to 30 more being performed each week. Using prototyping materials, the Indonesian team has successfully replicated results from Spain in the field in Pekanbaru: test results from 64 participants initially yielded 82% sensitivity and 63% specificity rates. After conducting further testing using improved pre-production materials, and further improvements in software and machine learning, is yielding additional results such as bringing testing time under 15 minutes, and further improvements in sensitivity and specificity. The Company expects further gains to be made in ensuing months.
“We’re now moving quickly to get the technology into test kits and into and through approvals, and we believe that given the progress beyond the initial prototypes, we’ll be able to deliver test kits which pass the WHO guidelines for sensitivity and specificity,” said Steven Goh, CEO of Achiko AG.
“We believe that as testing moves from point of care to point of need, the presence of the right testing technologies with the right consumer experience, available in large quantities and at the right price point, to customers at the right time, will contribute to successfully responding to and overcoming the impact of Covid-19 on society and do good in this world. That is what we’re here for.”
ABOUT ACHIKO AG
We harness ground-breaking science with innovative technology to create solutions that provide a great user experience for patients, physicians, and governing bodies alike, leading ultimately to the transformation of the healthcare industry.
The current development of our patent pending diagnostic testing kit for Covid-19 (Project Gumnuts) provides an easy and effective way that enables people to obtain the information they need and require. Complemented by our mobile check-in app (Teman Sehat), we empower users to manage their diagnostic experiences on their own terms, safeguard their privacy, share experiences, obtain passport verification and find community.
Achiko holds exclusive commercialization rights to the technology underlying Project Gumnuts from Regenacellex.SL. It may be used to detect all types of Covid-19, but also many other pathogens. Achiko is looking forward to the completion of regulatory approval and getting the technology to market as quickly as possible, applying it in an array of test kits and other assay formats.
Headquartered in Zurich, we have offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, Singapore, and Seoul. For more information, visit
ABOUT REGENACELLX.SL
We are a regenerative medicine company working with expert clinicians and scientists in the field of stem cells and small chemicals to advance cell replacement strategies to regenerate damaged tissues of the human body. In response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, we are developing next stage technology in the testing and diagnosis of pathogens as simple kits for home use or point of care (PoC) for a range of human diseases including Covid-19. For more information, visit
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DISCLAIMER
This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Achiko AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Achiko AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Achiko AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
