Oxford BioDynamics Plc announced the launch of its EpiSwitch COVID-19 Severity Test (CST), in line with the expanded strategy announced on Dec. 15, 2020.
Requiring only a routine blood draw, this important prognostic test is able to identify high-risk individuals who, if exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, are likely to experience the most severe COVID-19 complications and will potentially require hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) support. This test is also relevant to manage care for those individuals who because they are immunocompromised/ immunosuppressed or for other medical reasons cannot be vaccinated.
Standard available COVID-19 tests can only detect current or previous infection. They cannot predict immune response. EpiSwitch CST is a prognostic test which uses specific 3D genomic biomarkers to assess immune health and therefore can predict the likely severity of an individual’s COVID-19 response ahead of infection.
People known to have a high risk of severe or critical disease may be able to benefit from increased infection mitigation, early aggressive medication, or early intervention in the event of infection. The score provided by the EpiSwitch CST will better enable physicians and at-risk individuals to form effective healthcare management plans, including making informed clinical decisions, lifestyle choices and workplace strategies.
The EpiSwitch CST is based on the findings of OBD’s recently published, genome-wide study of Covid-positive patients, which identified key 3D genomic biomarkers that determine severity of Covid Response.