# A multimodal platform for Oral screening of COVID-19

> **NIH NIH R42** · INNOTECH PRECISION MEDICINE, INC · 2022 · $500,000

## Abstract

Original Abstract
A multimodal platform for Oral screening of COVID-19
The development of a rapid and reliable sensor system from readily available oral specimens is crucial for the screening and
management of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Other than tests that require laboratory-scale instrumentation, the development of
rapid tests can play a timely role in the management of an outbreak. Current rapid tests often involve the antibodies in a
lateral flow format to detect viral protein components and, depending on the implementation, can result in a relatively high
degree of error. In partnership with MIT, InnoTech proposes the development of a multiplexed sensor platform based on
nanomaterials capable of molecular binding and subsequent reporting. We will develop and commercialize a multiplexed
sensor platform using nanomaterial reporters capable of rapid simultaneous detection of multiple components of viral
particles in a field applicable electrochemical device. For our Phase I- Aim 1 we will focus on the development and
optimization of synthetic biosensors for accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral proteins and nucleic acid. Our milestone
is the discovery and validation an array of molecular recognition biosensors against both protein and nucleic acid segments
of SARS-CoV-2. We will complete this phase in 4 months. In Phase II-Aim 1, we will develop and validate the
electrochemical detectors. We will utilize the synthetic biosensors identified and validated in Aim 1 to an electrochemical
platform for the rapid detection of an active SARS-CoV-2 infection using multiple biomarkers of the infection. We will
specifically employ commercially-available, disposable electrode platforms and existing potentiostats from Metrohm
DropSens to streamline scale-up and commercialization. Our milestone, to be completed in year 1 of Phase II, is to have a
multiplex biosensor chip and an alpha prototype with a multiplex biosensor chip and a potentiostat reader which we will
benchmark for sensitivity and quantitative accuracy against existing COVID-19 diagnostics. In Phase II-Aim 2, we will
validate the prototype chips and detectors with retrospective clinical specimens in preparation for EUA-FDA submission.
We will determine the LOD, clinical performance, and cross-reactivity with other respiratory pathogens and normal flora.
The milestone for this Aim is to document a multiplex of at least two proteins and two nucleic acid biosensors for SARS-
CoV-2 that will provide a LOD of 5-20 viruses per microliter in an oral specimen and will be clinically validated with
greater than 95% concordance with RT-PCR in 30 positive and 30 negative specimens.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10665346
- **Project number:** 3R42DE030829-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** INNOTECH PRECISION MEDICINE, INC
- **Principal Investigator:** ROYA KHOSRAVI-FAR
- **Activity code:** R42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $500,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2024-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10665346

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10665346, A multimodal platform for Oral screening of COVID-19 (3R42DE030829-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10665346. Licensed CC0.

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