Will Sixth Wave help prevent a fourth wave?

Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. (CSE: SIXW | OTCQB: ATURF) is a nanotechnology company focused on extraction and detection of target substances at the molecular level. Their products can be very cost effective and potentially eliminate human error from the testing or measurement process. These advantages are derived from the application of patented technologies in the highly specialized field of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs).

Sounds pretty technical so what does that mean to you and me? As we battle a third wave of COVID-19 we are crossing our fingers and hoping vaccines will save the day. Especially given, that for all the talk about rapid testing, we have yet to see an effective, accurate test used in a broad setting to help identify or track the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. And who knows if all the variants that are popping up will continue to be effectively subdued by existing vaccines.

Enter Sixth Wave and their patent pending Accelerated Molecular Imprinted Polymers (AMIPs™) technology. Last week the company announced it has successfully demonstrated colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2. Colorimetric detection is a method of identifying the presence of a target substance within a test sample by means of color. For example, Green = COVID-19, Blue = Influenza, Red = Rhinovirus. And yes, the test could potentially identify multiple viruses in a single pass with different colors for each. Even better, the AMIPs™ test does not require the use of biological materials which have the potential to result in errors (false positive or false negative). As well, the methodology utilized by AMIPs™ should be more robust in its ability to detect variants because the mechanism used to capture and immobilize the virus is not keyed to a specific Antigen-Antibody relationship. Lastly, this robust, reliable product should result in a lower cost, either to an individual requiring a test or a government trying to get a handle on this annoyingly resilient virus.

Imagine kids going back to school and they all have a mask utilizing Sixth Wave technology. All you need to do is check each student’s mask and if it’s green the child gets sent home otherwise they are good to go until the next day. Now what if everyone had a mask, or some other device with AMIPs™ technology, then everyone could get back to going to sporting events, concerts or weddings. Even air travel and cruise ships would be able to operate relatively seamlessly based on the individual not being green, so to speak. This could be the solution that gets us back to a semblance of normal.

Unfortunately, as good as this all sounds, Sixth Wave isn’t the answer to all our problems just yet. Next steps include building on this initial validation toward the development of a colorimetric sensor for a potentially wide range of rapid Virus detection devices using AMIPs™. As well, the Company is proposing to create a comprehensive library of molecular imprints for other viral pathogens and variants. This AMIP library will be capable of being licensed for all manner of rapid detection test (RDT) devices and wearables, such as a smart mask, smart clothing and PPE applications, airborne sensors, Breathalyzers, and others. The groundwork has been laid but it remains to be seen if the company can capitalize on its efforts.

Nevertheless, the company has its Affinity™ System which uses MIPs to deliver an innovative purification solution to the cannabis market. First revenue from cannabinoid extraction is expected in Q1/21. As well there is the IXOS product, a line of extraction polymers formulated for deployment in the gold mining industry for the extraction of gold from cyanide leach solutions. Sixth Wave is undertaking pilot plant testing of IXOS technology at a major gold producer (Kinross Gold Corporation). The company recently raised $6M via a private placement which should give them enough cash to continue developing and innovating its product base for another 6 months, give or take. It will be interesting to see if the company can start generating revenue to reduce the cash burn and advance all these exciting prospects.