Phenosystems participates in capHIV to develop an ultra sensitive detection device for HIV (p24 protein) in blood samples. The project is part of the 'Research for SMEs' program of FP7.
The most commonly used and widely accessible diagnostic tests rely on the presence of HIV antibodies. Seroconversion, however, can take up to six months which prevents the early detection of the infection. Moreover, newborns cannot be tested with these methods due to maternal antibodies masking their true HIV status.
The CAPHIV project aims at developing a quick and automatic biosensor that targets the detection of a protein produced in the early stages of the disease and not that of an antibody. The device is expected to diagnose the disease within two weeks of the infection. The applied technology is to reduce measurement time and reduce costs associated with HIV testing.