Non-invasive test can detect viral RNA in asymptomatic patients

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE: XPHY | OTCQB: XPHYF | FSE: 4XT) (“XPhyto”) is a next generation bioscience company with a rapid pathogen screening systems division, including a new, non-invasive coronavirus saliva test. This is an important addition to rest of their businesses which includes advanced drug delivery systems (Vektor Pharma) and cannabis investments (Vektor Pharma & Bunker).

XPhyto’s core business is drug delivery, diagnostic, and cannabis investment opportunities focused on European markets, especially Germany.

Source: Company presentation

XPhyto’s rapid pathogen screening systems

XPhyto is focused on developing rapid, low-cost, screening tools for pandemic threats. The company, along with their diagnostic partner 3a-Diagnostics GmbH (“3a”), has recently become better known for their COVID-19 RNA testing. The XPhyto team is developing a rapid, disposable, point-of-screening test to detect COVID-19 viral RNA from patient saliva as well as more traditional nasal and throat swabs. On July 6, 2020, XPhyto announced successful validation of its working test prototype. The test, as observed and reported by clinicians and scientists in peer reviewed publications, demonstrated a detection limit capable of identifying viral RNA in the saliva of symptomatic, pre-symptomatic, and asymptomatic patients. Subject to fast track certification by the German government, XPhyto and 3a are targeting Q1 2021 for European regulatory approval and commercial sales.

Being able to detect coronavirus early in patients with no symptoms has been identified as a key factor in halting the spread. A saliva-based test is another huge advantage due to the ease of testing compared to the current nasal swab testing, which can range from uncomfortable to painful.

The technology behind the new test will also be suitable for other types of coronaviruses in the long term. XPhyto and 3a are also in the process of developing rapid screening tests for other pandemic threats, including H1N1 (swine flu) and H5N1 (avian flu), with a specific focus on identifying early pre-symptomatic stages of infection.

XPhyto’s advanced drug delivery systems

XPhyto owns Vektor Pharma, a German narcotics manufacturer, importer and researcher. Vektor Pharma is a decade-long leader in design, testing and manufacture of thin film drug delivery systems including transdermal patches, oral dissolvable film (ODF), sub-lingual (oral) strips for the clinical management of pain, and an ODF biosensor delivery platform. Vektor Pharma currently holds numerous narcotics import and manufacturing licenses, including cannabis imports and authorizations related to conventional and cannabis-related prescription medications.

XPhyto’s cannabis investments

XPhyto also 100% owns Bunker. Bunker has a unique German cannabis cultivation and extraction license for scientific purposes. Subject to BfArM (the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices) security requirements, the license authorizes cultivation and extract of 70 different strains of Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica for scientific purposes.

XPhyto also has an exclusive LOI and standstill agreement for cooperation in the field of development, production, and distribution of new cannabis-infused beverages and products with the famous German brewery Oettinger. Oettinger beer is not only one of the best selling beers in Germany, it is also internationally recognized as one of the largest brewery groups in the world.

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. is well-placed in key emerging industries

Source: Company presentation

Closing remarks

XPhyto is an innovator in the increasingly important fields of virus detection and drug delivery systems, including the vital area of  mass rapid pathogen screening testing. Added to that, it has some exciting cannabis related investments, particularly with Bunker in Germany. XPhyto also has R&D collaborations with the technical University of Munich and the University of Alberta.

For investors, XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. trades on a market cap of C$165m and the stock is up an impressive 132% in the past  year. While a non-invasive COVID-19 saliva test that can detect the virus in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients would have immediate and obvious benefits, it could also have long-term applicability to other pathogens going forward. Added to XPhyto’s carefully curated suite of other diagnostic, drug delivery and cannabis licenses, it makes it a company to watch.

Direct Communication Solutions leads the way in smart, unmanned screening tech

COVID-19 continues to spread globally, now at a staggering 22,306,538 confirmed cases and 784,353 deaths. Companies developing technologies to quickly and accurately screen for possible COVID-19 cases in the community are seeing their stock prices surge. There is one small company that has developed a new AI thermal detector with cutting edge facial recognition which is currently under the radar of investors.

That company is Direct Communication Solutions Inc. (CSE: DCSI | OTCQB: DCSX) (“DCS”), an Internet of Things (IoTs) solutions company. IoTs solutions provide better ways for businesses to collect and assess business-critical data from all types of assets and devices using their hardware, software applications and scalable cloud services.

In late July 2020, DCS announced their latest product, a new AI thermal detector with cutting edge facial recognition and body temperature detection, known as MiCOVID Cam. DCS say that by “utilizing the latest AI chipset technology, MiCOVID Cam offers immediate body temperature detection, the longest sensor range, and the highest level of accuracy available in the market today.” The MiCOVID Cam is fully integrated into the DCS Web Services offering. DCS has also developed a 7 in 1 sensor which is significantly cheaper and offers seven sensors packaged together compared to competitors just one sensor.

Direct Communication Solutions new MiCOVID cam is designed to automatically screen for COVID-19 in businesses and schools

Source

A unique feature to DCS’s MiCOVID Cam is it offers employers a web-based solution without the need for operators by using its advanced AI. This makes it a cost-effective solution for screening the temperatures of visitors, employees or students. MiCOVID Cam can even automatically detect if employees or customers are wearing a mask or not. Employers can save the costs of manual screening by automating the whole process. In some cases the US CARES Act has paid for screening devices, recognizing the urgent need for better screening.

Fast mass screening has been a challenge. The MiCOVID Cam solution is capable of automatically screening up to 2,400 persons per hour, making it ideal for large businesses, organizations and schools.

The MiCOVID Cam in use at a Poland School District automatically screening students, staff, and teachers

Source: You can watch the video here.

David Scowby, COO of DCS explains that the “MiCovid Cam is another milestone achievement for DCS and fits into our strategy of providing our IoT technologies and Web Services to our partners developing next generation software applications… It is a unique time where our economy is needing the support to reopen, and offering MiCovid Cam is a way for businesses to reopen with advanced safety solutions.”

These are certainly unique times. COVID-19 continues to spread through the community and screening measures such as the DCS MiCOVID Cam is a much needed smart product to help identify and minimize the spread of COVID-19, or other infectious diseases with a thermal imprint. The automatic screening without the need of staff is a significant and natural advantage for DCS, as they offer a suite of web-connected IoTs solutions for their customers.

DCS’s technologies is already established in California and has a growing number of partners including Sprint, Cellcom, Bluegrass Cellular, Bell, CCA, Inland Cellular, US Cellular, SkyEye GPS, Verizon, and Telus. Strategic partners include Queclink, Cal/Amp. Telit, ATrack, and GoldenM.

Closing remarks

I think DCS’s MiCOVID Cam is a significant and timely addition to the company’s sensor technologies and can be an important tool in the fight to slow the spread of COVID-19, so a win-win for all. Added to MiCOVID Cam, DCS has three other key IoTS products – MiFleet (GPS tracking), MiSensors (remote monitoring system), and Brewsee (a beer life cycle monitor & control system). All of this is part of what is a rapidly growing IoTs global market forecast to reach US$1.1 trillion by 2023 and with a forecast 21.5 billion connected devices worldwide by 2025.

Direct Communication Solutions Inc. is currently trading on a market cap of just C$14.7m despite last year having C$16m in revenue, essentially at a valuation of below 1x revenue, which is generally considered very cheap. This is before factoring in any potential future revenues from their new MiCOVID Cam solution. Investors may not want to wait too long on this one as cutting-edge technologies tend to move quickly once discovered by industry and investors.

Using artificial intelligence to mass screen for COVID-19

“It’s about the different verticals that we are addressing with Predictmedix,” says Dr. Rahul Kushwah, Co-Founder and COO of Predictmedix Inc. (CSE: PMED | OTCQB: PMEDF). “We are an artificial intelligence company and we are solving real-world problems.”

In an interview with InvestorIntel’s Tracy Weslosky, Dr.  Kushwah explains three of their vertical markets: “COVID-19 pandemic, we are all in the midst of it and we have a technology which is to mass screen for COVID-19. Similarly, impairment is a big issue when it comes to workplace and law enforcement and we have a solution for that. And the third vertical is mental illnesses. $300 billion spent in the US last year and there is so much subjectivity that goes into diagnosis and we are developing a solution to diagnose mental illnesses.”

“We have developed modules which look like metal detectors,” Dr.  Kushwah continued. “You walk through these modules and on the other end you have a green or red light. If someone is identified to be positive for COVID-19 symptoms a red light goes off – if not then you get a green light.” He continued, “it is a tool that you can use for mass screening in airports, transit hubs, malls, office building, government buildings, or anywhere you can imagine where you have big flow of people.” Dr. Kushwah also discusses the pitfalls of current telehealth and telemedicine platforms, and Predictmedix’s innovative solutions.

To access the complete interview, click here

Disclaimer: Predictmedix Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.