- EasyCov is a saliva test "which meets many expectations: emergency, safety, simplicity, economy, mobility" according to its designers. In less than an hour, by a simple saliva sample, a subject knows if he has Covid-19.
- The CNRS research laboratory Sys2Diag and the companies Skillcell and Vogo are part of the French consortium behind the creation and development of this test.
- The army supported its development by ordering thousands of tests. The Region helped finance its development for 437,000 euros.
CNRS researcher, Franck Molina is convinced of this. “A decisive step has been taken (…) I am convinced that this salivary screening test, EasyCov, will mark a real break in the fight against Covid-19. "
While scientists around the world are busy finding a coronavirus parade, the announcement of the creation of a reliable saliva test, easy to perform and with a quick verdict (less than an hour) to find out if the subject is reached by Covid-19, is a considerable advance. And it places France and Montpellier at the heart of global research.
Clinical trials carried out at the Montpellier University Hospital
The consortium behind this saliva screening test is formed by the biotechnology company Skillcell, the CNRS research laboratory Sys2Diag, located in the Hérault prefecture, and the company Vogo, also based in Montpellier. The first clinical trials carried out by the Montpellier CHU with 180 people (patients and caregivers) have given satisfactory results. Enough to launch its marketing in June, once obtained the CE label. The test should be manufactured by the Alsatian company Firalis and sold for 20 euros (excluding taxes).
EasyCov analyzes in less than an hour a saliva sample under the patient's tongue. After passing through two tubes heated to 65 ° C, the result results in a different color, depending on whether one is positive or negative with Covid-19. “This is a strong innovation which has been designed, developed in France and which will also be produced on the territory. The development was carried out thanks to a diversity of local skills which helped to make it a complete solution which meets many expectations: emergency, safety, simplicity, economy, mobility… ”, emphasizes the CEO of Skillcell, Alexandra Prieux.
Involvement of the Ministry of the Armed Forces
This innovation has received strong support from public policies. It is one of the projects selected by the army to bring out “directly mobilizable” solutions in the fight against the epidemic. The Defense Innovation Agency had received 2,580 projects after its call in mid-March. Only around thirty were selected. "The main objective was to" derisque "innovation and not to finance industrialization," explains Florence Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces.
EasyCov obtained funding of 437,000 euros. The region is preparing to vote on Friday, in a standing committee, for support of 236,839 euros for the Sys2Diag laboratory and the Montpellier Institute for Infectious Disease Research. Vogo, for its part, will benefit from aid of 200,000 euros.
Vogo, a better known player in the professional sports world
The company is best known for its replay solutions in sports arenas. Its technology has enabled it to join this consortium. It must secure and automate the analysis of the results by the colorimetric reading of the test. "It has all the assets to support the deconfinement of populations, favor the gradual recovery of the economy of sport and (…) event activities with high human density", estimates its co-founder Christophe Carniel.
Vogo had plunged into the stock market in mid-March, when all professional competitions were stopped. After the announcement of its participation in this test, its value returned to its price at the start of the year.
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