The P-FAB technology was 100% accurate compared to the gold standard mass spectrometry for detecting THC in human saliva. Rutgers University performed the testing services sponsored by RICOVR Healthcare.
Princeton, NJ, June 14, 2023: RICOVR Healthcare, the creator of XALIVA® THC rapid drug test for on-site recent marijuana use detection, reports successful external validation of its P-FAB technology using mass spectrometry for detection of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in saliva in collaboration with Rutgers University.
The novel plasmonic fiber-optic absorbance biosensor (P-FAB) device showed a statistically significant difference in binding curves between 0 ng/mL, 5 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, and 50 ng/mL of THC. These results validate the ability to generate semi-quantitative detection of THC. “The results from our validation with Rutgers University show that our P-FAB technology can provide a highly accurate, portable, fast, and cost-effective tool for recent marijuana use detection,” said Dr. Joe Seimetz, RICOVR Healthcare’s Director of Research and Development.
There was complete agreement between samples measured on Ricovr’s P-FAB device and mass spec for determining the absence of THC in the 0 ng/mL samples and for detecting the presence of THC at each of the low, medium, and high concentration levels of THC. Thus, in this technology validation, the P-FAB device has 100% accuracy relative to the gold standard mass spec method.
Dr. Himanshu Bhatia, Founder and CEO of RICOVR Healthcare, said, “Our testing with Rutgers University further validates that our immensely sensitive P-FAB technology will provide a solution for employers and law enforcement to detect recent marijuana use at workplaces and roadside accurately. With the legalization of recreational marijuana in 23 states, our technology will provide fairness to responsible users while maintaining safety.”
This study was performed at Rutgers University in the Biological Mass Spectrometry Facility, which has state-of-the-art instrumentation. Dr. David Sleat commented, “Our mass spec validation testing showed that Ricovr’s novel P-FAB technology has the ability to generate semi-quantitative detection of THC. We look forward to further collaboration with Ricovr and testing P-FAB’s potential implications in the workforce and for law enforcement.”
Sleat is a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine Mass Spectrometry Facility.
Source: Yahoo Finance
About RICOVR Healthcare
RICOVR Healthcare is the creator of the XALIVA® rapid diagnostics platform that provides high-quality, rapid diagnostics results using a small amount of saliva. The Company’s product pipeline includes rapid point-of-care tests for THC, drugs of abuse, reproductive health, and infectious diseases. The Company boasts a distinguished advisory board and management team of scientists and engineers committed to positively impacting society. In addition, the Company has strong partnerships with leading research institutions and medical device manufacturing companies around the globe.
About Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, the university is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United States. More than 70,000 students and 23,600 full- and part-time faculty and staff learn, work, and serve the public at Rutgers locations across New Jersey and around the world. www.rutgers.edu
