AMIPs™ | Pathogen Detection

AMS’ patent-pending solution provides several advantages for detecting, containing, and, ultimately, ending viral pandemics, such as SARS-CoV-2. Unlike other Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Immunoassay diagnostic tests, the AMIPS™ system directly detects viral particles rather than antibodies or antigens that can take days or weeks to be detectable within a patient. Impressively, AMIPS™ can also identify specific components such as viral DNA, RNA, proteins, small molecules, and even antibodies, making it one of the most versatile testing solutions to date.

Because the technology is based on a cartridge design, AMS believes the development of AMIPS™ detection for new viral threats could take less than 30 days from the onset, as well as, allow screening for multiple classes of viruses. the spread of future outbreaks could be contained much earlier with AMS’ solution.

Finally, the platform is infinitely scalable and adaptable. The AMIPS™ technology allows AMS to configure the test to screen for multiple infections at once. By detecting classes of viruses, researchers can deploy new diagnostics without cultivating antigens or collecting antibodies in the case of novel viruses, like coronavirus.

The Problem

Current diagnostic technologies are reactive and not proactive, susceptible to being overwhelmed by highly contagious pathogens as demonstrated by the global pandemic

There is a gap in capability in diagnostic devices for high throughput screening applications

Development of new diagnostics for new threats or mutations takes too long and may be cost prohibitive

The AMIPs Advantage

Quick identification

Cost effective

Robust properties

Easy to use

Infinite applications

  • Flexible platform allows for rapid response capability to new viral threats and/or virus mutations without having to cultivate antigens or antibodies specific to a new virus.

  • Ability to use any bodily fluid that contains the virus

  • Screening for multiple viruses in a single test

  • Synthetic polymer allows for easy scalability, extended shelf life, and minimal storage and handling requirements, less sensitive to degradation from temperature and light and enzymatic degradation

  • Speed of Development AMIPs detection for new viral threats could take less than 60 days

  • Multiple form factors allow for screening for multiple classes of viruses and new emerging viruses the spread of future outbreaks could be contained much earlier with our solution

New Technology for Point of Use Diagnostics

  • AMIPs™

    AMS has developed Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPS) for the detection of viruses and bacteria.  The platform for rapid development and testing of MIPs addresses a wide variety of pathogens.  While pioneered to detect SARS-COVID-19, the AMIPs™ platform has been successfully demonstrated to detect respiratory pathogens but also those associated with food spoilage and other diseases. Laboratory testing revealed that AMIPs™ were significantly more sensitive than immunoassay techniques and were not dependent on specific antigen/antibody relationships making them more robust against rapid mutation of a pathogen.  The core MIPs designed are amenable to multiple applications including direct testing of patients, air handling systems, water monitoring and others.

  • PADs™

    AMS has created a broad Pathogen Amine Detection program for diagnostics and surveillance of viruses or bacteria.

    Our extensive range of foundational technology provides innovative solutions for targeted detection from small molecule to single cell pathogens. AMS’ diagnostics can be deployed as single point-of-use tests for home or laboratory, or as screening technologies for checkpoint monitoring in critical infrastructure such as airports, public transportation or venues. AMS PADs™ technology can also be used in water surveillance applications.

    AMS has working prototypes for SARS-CoV-2 and E. coli

Scalable Medical Diagnostics

  • Microfluidic Device

    AMS has integrated the AMIPs detection capability into microfluidics cells.  These are small self contained cartridges that contain a reference sensor and an. AMIPs sensor.  Sample fluids are injected into the microfluidic cell allowing the sensors to be exposed.  If a pathogen is present the AMIPs sensor will register a positive value compared to the reference indicating the presence of the pathogen.   After a test the device can be purged allowing for reuse.

  • Microwell Assay Test

    Similar to an ELISA immunoassay test. Uses standard laboratory techniques and can be rapidly developed and deployed.

  • Lateral Flow Test

    Similar to a pregnancy test, this small dipstick device requires a fluid input from the user and a few minutes to generate a colorimetric response.

AMIPs™ Prototype Successfully Detects E. Coli Bacteria in 5 Minutes

Halifax, Nova Scotia – (July 5, 2022) – Advanced Mineral Separations is pleased to announce that its patent pending Accelerated Molecularly Imprinted Polymer (“AMIPs™”) technology has achieved a new performance milestone for the detection of E. Coli bacteria. The purpose of this project is to develop a multiplexed automated device that can quickly diagnosis Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) at point of care. This will drastically reduce diagnostic time, cost, and time to treatment, while increasing the probability of successful treatment.  Escherichia coli is one of the most frequent causes of many common bacterial infections, including cholecystitis, bacteremia, cholangitis, urinary tract infection (UTI), and traveler’s diarrhea, and other clinical infections such as neonatal meningitis and pneumonia.

In collaboration with Dr. Pouya Razai at York University, the team has developed a microfluidic device with sensitivity down to 1,000 bacteria/mL. The prototype can achieve this limit of detection in as little as 5 minutes with 0.25 mL of sample. This is a significant advancement over conventional techniques that require growing bacteria in samples for 24 to 48 hours, or compared to other experimental technologies with much higher detection limits at 100,000 bacteria/mL detected that require 30 minutes or more.

“We are still in the laboratory testing phase and prototype development of the nanotechnology and microfluidics system for both bacteria and viruses, but these results are very promising for point of care testing. The expansion of the AMIPs platform to new pathogens, form factors, and diagnostic applications showcases the versatility of this MIPS platform and our ability to perform multiple tests simultaneously and on a common system.” Said Dr. Garrett Kraft, Vice President of Innovation.

 The current prototype uses a fluorescent detection mechanism and a microfluidics device. The next phase of the research is to initiate specificity experiments against other bacteria and miniaturize the analyzer unit of the device. The research on this project is fully funded for the next 2 years by the NSERC grant awarded to the team and announced on April 6, 2022.

The testing market for E. coli is already robust with expected growth of over USD$787M increase expected between now and 2026 with an estimated growth of CAGR of 7.86% according to a report published by TechNavio in February 2022 (https://www.technavio.com/report/escherichia-coli-testing-market-industry-analysis?utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=t50_rdcs_report_wk8_2022_003&utm_content=IRTNTR72341&nowebp).

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its current AMIPs™ products have the ability to eliminate, cure, contain, at a commercial level, any disease or pathogen at this time.