Project description and overview:

Alcolizer are developing a COVID -19 testing unit branded “Virulizer”. This opens the opportunity for Australia to minimise local transmissions and assist interstate and international borders to reopen using appropriate testing protocols.

The test collects saliva via an oral test panel (or iStrip) and it is then inserted into a hand-held COVID-19 Analyzer (the Virulizer) which is fully portable. The cassette is single use and encapsulates all the saliva, then is disposed of. This same system is in use in Alcolizer’s current drug testing product and no issues have been detected.

The sample will be chemically treated to break down the virus into non-infectious proteins and molecules and measure the viral load. The result is displayed on the hardware device screen and stored on the instrument. Positive test patients are then PCR tested as a final confirmation if deemed required.

Alcolizer will develop a software called AlcoCONNECT which will connect to the Virulizer. The Virulizer has an integrated Bluetooth interface to printing, can store over 10,000 records, and can push data to a cloud server and then to COVID health authorities. AlcoCONNECT software has GPS location technology and integration to cloud reporting tools that log test subject’s identity, location of test, date and time. This technology can assist with contact tracing which can be integrated easily into existing health platforms. The process is designed to limit physical contact between the tester and test subject to limit the opportunity for infection.

The Viralizer product is targeting markets with low prevalence requiring extremely high sensitivity. Alcolizer are looking to deliver a rapid result in under 10 minutes and looking at both the S and the N protein which will give them the specificity to get COVID-19 at extremely low levels when patients are asymptomatic with a high degree of accuracy.