From CIFGA Laboratory, specialized in the manufacture of analytical standards, kits and detection reagents and linked to the AMSlab Group; and together with the GENVIP Research Group, belonging to the Santiago de Compostela Health Research Institute (IDIS), which aims to promote research, teaching, scientific-technological development and innovation in the health field and in health sciences; We have just signed a collaboration agreement with which we will carry out the investigation of a project for the development and tuning of a rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19, using the know-how, brand and own resources of both entities.
From CIFGA and with the GENVIP group we will join forces and knowledge in a strategic project the will allow the development, validation and manufacture of a series of prototypes of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 disease, based on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and incorporating the CRISPR technique, which will allow to have a more competitive technique than the current ones, as well as less invesive (saliva samples) and faster (<30 minutes).

One of the main improvements that is expected to be obtained as a result of the project is related to the sensitivity of the detection kit, since it would allow to avoid the false positives that may be generated. 

This project arises from the experience previously acquired by the AMSlab group through the project "Rápida e sinxela detección molecular in-situ de SARS-CoV-2, sen requirimento de instrumentación, mediante LAMP", subsidized by the Galician Innovation Agency (GAIN) and supported by the Ministry of Economy, Employment and Industry, with which it has been possible to develop a detection kit that is currently in the validation phase at the Valdecilla Hospital, Cantabria.

With this new collaboration agreement, both entities intend to contribute to the growth of the country´s productive capacity in the manufacture of virus detection tests.