LIFE-ME: Scientific breakthrough Lifecare’s partner Digital Diagnostics AG detects corona virus with rapid test

Scientific breakthrough: Lifecare’s partner Digital Diagnostics AG detects
corona virus with rapid test, seeks FDA approval and plans to deliver units
starting in July

The Norwegian listed company Lifecare AS (LIFE-ME) has a 25% ownership in
Digital Diagnostics AG which has successfully detected SARS-CoV-2 viruses using
the revolutionary Cantisense™ technology at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection
Research in Braunschweig Germany. Contrary to PCR testing, the Digid Cantisense™
SARS-CoV-2 Test reliably detects the corona virus from the time of infection and
gives the test result within minutes at the point-of-care. 

Digital Diagnostics has filed for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approval. Starting in July, Digital Diagnostics is planning to deliver tests,
followed by upscaling of capacities in the short term.

In contrast to PCR testing, the Digid Cantisense™ SARS-CoV-2 Test provides a
clear electronic “YES” or “NO” information within a few minutes, saving precious
time in the diagnosis. It directly detects the presence of the virus, while
other rapid tests only recognize antibodies. Antibodies form after a patient was
infected and contagious for several days. Therefore, today’s rapid antibody
tests are of limited use to contain the spread of the pandemic.

Christian Saure, Chairman of Lifecare, said: “The Digid Cantisense™ SARS-CoV-2
Test can detect corona virus from the time of infection, contrary to other tests
on the market that can only detect the antibodies 5-7 days after the infection.
The accurate and quick on-site testing, which is independent of lab analysis,
will really help contain the current SARS-COV-2 pandemic. The scientific
breakthrough and timeline for point-of-care tests is a leap in revolutionizing
SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. Digital Diagnostics fast-track development and
positioning represent a significant value potential for Lifecare as a partner
and shareholder.” 

Konstantin Kloppstech, CTO at Digital Diagnostics, says: “Recent test series at
the HZI high-security laboratory have shown that SARS-CoV-2 viruses can be
detected directly and reliably using our Cantisense technology and without the
need for PCR or further sample processing. This is a scientific breakthrough. We
have coated cantilevers with a capture layer of highly specific monoclonal
antibodies, which can reliably bind SARS-CO-2 viruses in the test fluid.”

Constantin von Gersdorff, CEO of Digital Diagnostics, said: “The next step will
be to initiate clinical studies with patient samples. To this end, we have
already established international collaborations with leading hospitals in
Europe, Africa and Asia”.

With Digid’s point-of-care solution, the measurement results are transmitted
wirelessly from a sensor hub to a mobile device. By connecting to a secure
analytics platform, the numerous sensor data can be augmented with further data
and processed anonymously for research and diagnostic applications.

Due to its measurement speed and the highly reliable results, the Digid
Cantisense™ SARS-CoV-2 Test is particularly suitable to support the containment
of the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The test offers the possibility of simple
and rapid testing of patients and medical staff as an alternative to laboratory
tests and enables reliable identification of infected persons within minutes.
The possible areas of application therefore also include screening for access
control at airports and railway stations, hospitals and specially protected
areas (such as retirement and nursing homes) as well as for companies who want
to ensure that their production runs smoothly and safely.

The experts at Digital Diagnostics are also working at full-speed to further
develop the technology and to adapt the point-of-care testing procedure for
consumers at home.

Partner Consortium
digid — Digital Diagnostics AG, Mainz, Berlin
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI), Braunschweig
Department of Biotechnology am Institut für Biochemie, Biotechnologie und
Bioinformatik der Technischen Universität Braunschweig
Laboratories for Natural Product and Conjugation Chemistry (naconLabs)
Division Microrobotics and Control Engineering (AMiR), University of Oldenburg
Centre for Biosensors, Bioelectronics and Biodevices, University of Bath
Łukasiewicz-Instytut Technologii Elektronowej, Warschau
Lifecare AS (Ltd.), Bergen, Norway
Pfützner Science & Health Institute, Mainz

Press contact Consortium
Thomas Huber
semanticom GmbH
+49 30 275 80 81 11
digid-pr@semanticom.eu

Press contact Lifecare
Christian Saure
Chairman of the Board
christian@sternacap.no
+47 909 33 148