Our antibody test could speed up a return to normal life, says Irish firm

Dr Seán Mac Fhearraigh and Dr Colm Ryan, co-founders of Assay Genie, with a Covid-19 antibody test kit. Photo: Mark Condren

Laura Lynott

March 29 2021 02:30 AM

Manufacturers launching new rapid antibody tests believe thousands of people could potentially return to normal life – before and after vaccination – if they already possess antibodies.

Irish company Assay Genie has already launched antibody lab tests which are being used by researchers.

The firm’s new 15-minute rapid antibody tests are soon to be distributed to pharmacists and other health professionals.

The company, based in Dublin, said the tests can be used before or after vaccination, to find out if a person is protected from the virus for a period.

Dr Colm Ryan, Assay Genie co-founder and CEO, believes thousands of people may already have immunity to allow them to return to society, while the vaccination process continues.

Others could be given the additional assurance they possess antibodies post-vaccination.

Dr Ryan said: “If the State was to roll out these antibody tests, we could tell how many people have the neutralising antibodies and we could potentially open up while waiting on the vaccine (completion).

“Potentially we could categorise people who had neutralising antibodies and who didn’t.

“There could be thousands of people who have neutralising antibodies.

“Neutralising antibodies protect people from Covid-19 and from reinfection. With Sars, neutralising antibodies lasted between three and 17 years after infection. People could potentially be protected for years.”

Recently a study in the journal Science found immunity from Covid-19 could last for eight months. However, there is no definitive evidence to state just how long each individual has immunity.

There is currently no evidence that any of the Covid-19 vaccines can completely stop people from being infected. This is where the antibody tests could add an extra barrier of protection, Assay Genie believes.

Dr Ryan told the Irish Independent: “If we categorically knew neutralising antibodies confer protection from vaccination or previous (Covid-19) infections, then hopefully we could open up (society) sooner.

“I feel moving forward, whether it’s lab or rapid tests, if we can determine if neutralising antibodies correlate with (vaccination) protection, that’s very powerful.

“If we detect neutralising antibodies and we know they confirm protection from Covid, as time moves on, we could be asking do I need a vaccine?”

However, some health experts in the US advise against antibody testing to see if the vaccine is necessary. Health authorities told the Washington Post that because natural immunity differs, and because of the risk of severe illness, everyone should get vaccinated. Dr Ryan said for those people who do not want to be vaccinated, the option of antibody tests could further help protect the country.