Now formally validated by Public Health England (PHE), the Inactivir® range of ‘Stabilising Viral Inactivation Buffers’ has the potential to transform the global battle against Covid-19 and other viruses by improving the speed and safety of sampling, whilst maintaining the quality of the viral sample. It is predicted that this technology will help to significantly increase laboratory throughput and improve testing.

Throughout the pandemic, scientists and academics have identified a huge need for testing programmes for potential Covid infections. They have found that testing needs to be both effective and safe, and there is increased pressure and demand for ‘gold standard’ molecular testing using PCR or similar methods. This has led to a significant increase in processing and rapid changes needed by laboratories across the country, often leading to delays in processing results and other complications with testing.

As part of a national call for SMEs to help develop innovative methodologies to combat coronavirus, the Bedford-based LSG successfully applied for a research grant worth £50,000 from Innovate UK. Following this, in May 2020 a Covid-19 testing research team was set up at the University.

Led by Dr Robin Maytum, Principal Lecturer in Biomedical Science, the team has helped the company with the development of this new range of ‘Stabilising Viral Inactivation Buffers’ for the transportation of samples for viral testing. By inactivating the virus, this technology makes the samples non-infectious and, therefore, much safer to handle.

Discussing the collaborative research venture with LSG, Dr Maytum said: “We have been working with Life Science Group for just over a year now and this partnership has proved to be an invaluable opportunity for both our research students and staff at the University of Bedfordshire. It has been great to see this work evolve from a scientific concept to something that we believe will make a difference to testing and in the overall fight against Covid-19.

“The demand for localised safe and rapid molecular testing is clear and this product will help protect not just the public, but also those who handle and transport viral samples including the laboratory staff involved in the testing. This technology also preserves the quality of the sample helping to ensure the accuracy of tests.

“This approach is not only important for the high-tech testing environments found in this country, but maybe even more so in less developed parts of the world which don’t have our established systems and processes.

“These buffers will facilitate the next generations of molecular tests as they are put into use, not just within the UK, but globally.”

After initially assisting Dr Maytum as a lab technician, Rezart Cela took the opportunity to continue supporting this invaluable Covid-19 project through a Master of Science by Research degree, facilitated by iBEST – the University’s Institute of Biomedical & Environmental Science & Technology.

Fostered by Bedfordshire’s Innovation & Enterprise Service (IES), Rezart’s degree has been part-funded by the Innovation Bridges scheme, which aims to provide financial support for businesses along the Oxford to Cambridge Arc that are looking to collaborate in research and innovation.

Reflecting on the opportunity, Rezart said: “I have always loved conducting research and during my time working as a laboratory technician for LSG under the supervision of Dr Robin Maytum, he helped reignite my love of research and inspired me to apply for a Master’s degree at the University of Bedfordshire. I’ve always wanted to study at Master’s level and I’ve now been given the opportunity to complete a Master’s by Research in Biology which will give me the chance to develop my research skills and improve the knowledge and experience I have already acquired during this project.”

With continued academic support from Dr Maytum, Rezart and the University’s team of Covid-19 researchers, the new Inactivir® range of ‘Stabilising Viral Inactivation Buffers’ from Life Science Group is now in the final stages of development. These buffers will be used in sample tubes following the collection of saliva or swab material from the patient and will inactivate any viral pathogens during transportation to the laboratories. The inactivation buffers are expected to work not just for Covid-19 samples, but also for other viruses such as Ebola and will be available for global sample applications.

Jenny Murray, Managing Director of LSG, added: “The positive results coming through from Public Health England have confirmed the importance of this approach in the global battle against Coronavirus and other viruses.

“The benefits to the whole testing process are many and varied and include a safer and more effective way of handling a wide range of samples in the future. Other benefits include, low toxicity, longer shelf life and the prevention of degradation of samples to reduce issues of false negatives. The buffers can be used with a variety of extraction protocols and, above all, will increase the safety, speed and ease of testing.

“Life Science Group have really benefited from our partnership with the University on this and future projects. We are also actively looking at ways to support the University of Bedfordshire in providing students with access to the manufacturing skills embedded within the business.”

LSG is currently the only company offering a full range of inactivation and stabilisation buffers suitable for a range of tests and differing requirements including PCR, Straight-to-PCR and LAMP and is fully ISO 13485 accredited. For further information about the company and their range of innovative technologies, visit: www.lifesciencegroup.co.uk

Local businesses interested in receiving research-based support from the University of Bedfordshire should visit the IES webpage: www.beds.ac.uk/ies/we-mean-business