Yesterday, Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (CSE: SIXW | OTCQB: ATURF | FSE: AHUH ) announced a key achievement in the development of its advanced technology for the rapid detection of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Using nanotechnology, Sixth Wave focuses on the extraction and detection of target substances at the molecular level using specialized molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs).
The company creates a molecular imprint in the polymer for the target substance and then can detect its presence based on the specific size, shape, and/or chemistry of the target.
Announcement of Initial Imprinting
Sixth Wave made a breakthrough announcement yesterday that the research team successfully completed the first molecular imprint of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, using the company’s patent-pending process and technology called Accelerated Molecular Imprinted Polymers (AMIPs™).
Over the next few weeks, this imprint will now go through a series of tests at the University of Alberta to determine the accuracy of the virus detection. The imprint process will be modified until a precise process is determined that results in a polymer with an “exceptional accuracy” in identifying the virus.
Once the polymer has reached its efficacy targets, it can then form the basis of various virus detection products including airborne detection tools, hand-held devices, and wearables.
One simple application is adding the polymer to a mask. The mask can then filter out any SARS-CoV-2 virus that tries to pass through the mask and can also change color if the user’s exhale contains the virus. A fast, effective and easy way of detecting the COVID-19 virus.
Dr. Jonathan Gluckman, President and CEO of Sixth Wave, commented,
“With the completion of the initial imprint, we’ve demonstrated the process of making this polymer. More importantly, we now have an AMIPs prototype customized for SARS-CoV-2, which we can run through a battery of tests, optimizing its design with each successive imprint version. At the end of this process, we aim to have a Definitive Imprint with an extremely high affinity, or attraction, to the Virus, with clinically relevant detection levels and reliability.”
Advantages of Sixth Wave’s Technology
Currently, COVID-19 testing is expensive and often requires laboratory work, expensive equipment, well-trained technicians, and can take days to get accurate results. In addition, the tests use biological materials that are affected by climate conditions.
Sixth Wave’s testing solution has many advantages over a lab-based test – it is simpler, faster, and does not require any skilled person to administer. If the polymer is implemented in a breathalyzer, simply breathe into the device and it will tell you if your breath contains the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
In addition, the polymer can be easily replicated at a low cost, it doesn’t need to be stored at low temperatures, and the same process can be used to detect other viruses or diseases.
Technology Already Used in Gold and Cannabis Processing
Sixth Wave’s technology has already been used in the gold mining industry. In gold extraction, Sixth Wave’s product is called IXOS® and is a line of polymers formulated for the extraction of gold from cyanide leach solutions.
In September 2020, Sixth Wave announced that it signed a non-binding Letter of Intent for the trialing of Sixth Wave’s IXOS® purification polymer at Rio2’s (TSXV: RIO | OTC: RIOFF | FSE: 1SB) Fenix Gold Project in Chile.
In the cannabis extraction industry, Sixth Wave’s Affinity™ system can lower the cost by streamlining the process of capturing and extracting cannabinoids (THC and CBD) while still yielding high purity distillates and isolates.
In April 2020, Sixth Wave signed a deal with Green Envy for the purchase of at least three AffinityTM extraction units. Green Envy is a cannabinoid extraction company specializing in the production of high-quality concentrates, distillates, and edibles. Green Envy will integrate the AffinityTM units into its existing process platform for the production of full-spectrum distillates.
Sixth Wave expects to recognize revenue from this sale starting in the first fiscal quarter in 2021.
Final Thoughts
Sixth Wave can apply its MIP solutions across a broad range of industries. The company is currently commercializing solutions in the cannabis and gold mining industries, and is testing an innovative solution for the detection of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Unfortunately, this current health crisis is not the first global pandemic and probably won’t be the last but Sixth Wave’s technology could provide a faster and cheaper way for virus detection this year.
Sixth Wave currently trades at $0.35 with a Market Cap of $ 30.7 million.
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