The recent resurgence of monkeypox (mpox) has sparked global concern and prompted a renewed focus on disease prevention and control. As the outbreak continues to evolve, the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools is paramount for effective public health response. Among these tools, lateral flow tests (LFTs) have emerged as promising candidates due to their ease of use, portability, and potential for point-of-care testing. And life science manufacturers like ICL understand that availability of high-quality mpox antibodies is a critical factor in the development of these LFTs.

What is Mpox?

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral illness that can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle aches, and a rash. While it is typically milder than its viral cousin smallpox, mpox can still lead to severe illness and even death in certain populations.

The current outbreak stems from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a total of 7,851 mpox cases were reported in May and claimed 384 deaths, according to the Center for Disease Control. With new cases appearing in Sweden, this outbreak has raised significant concerns about its potential to spread widely and disproportionately affect vulnerable groups worldwide.

Building Better Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs)

Accurate and timely diagnostic testing is essential for managing mpox outbreaks. It allows for the identification of infected individuals, isolation of cases, and implementation of appropriate public health measures to prevent further transmission. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), can be time-consuming and require specialized laboratory equipment. Lateral flow tests, on the other hand, offer a more accessible and rapid alternative to traditional methods like PCR.

LFTs are simple devices that rely on highly sensitive test strips to detect the presence of specific antigens or antibodies in a sample. If the target analyte is present, it binds to the antibodies immobilized on the test line, resulting in a visible signal.

Researchers and IVD companies around the world are eager to develop LFTs for mpox that can detect either mpox antigens or antibodies. While antigen tests provide quick results, they offer lower sensitivity. Alternatively, serology tests can detect past or current infections and offer higher sensitivity in later stages of disease.

Sourcing Quality Mpox Antibodies 

The development of high-quality mpox antibodies is essential for creating effective lateral flow tests (LFTs). This process begins by identifying the appropriate immunological target, followed by selecting antibody clones that demonstrate high specificity and sensitivity to the target antigens. Additionally, these antibodies must be stable under various storage conditions and capable of generating a strong, clear signal within the LFT format. Ensuring these qualities in the antibodies is critical to the reliability and accuracy of the diagnostic tests.

ICL approaches antibody generation with specificity, sensitivity, and production scale in mind, prioritizing quality and efficacy to ensure the development process is as smooth as possible. Without rigorously tested and highly reliable antibodies, LFT development can be slow and challenging.

To help IVD companies overcome these challenges, ICL ensure the accuracy and sensitivity of antibodies is ready to transfer over to the test scenarios, lowering the risk of potential false positive or false negative results. Plus, ICL scalability ensures there are enough high-quality mpox antibodies that aid in rapid development of diagnostics in areas most affected by the virus.

As the demand for rapid and accessible diagnostic tools increases, there is a growing market for products that can meet the needs of public health agencies, healthcare providers, and individuals. The ongoing mpox outbreak highlights the importance of developing accurate and accessible diagnostic tools, and ICL is helping to ensure IVD companies and researchers have the reagents they need to succeed.

Get in touch with our sales team to learn about ICL’s reliable and scalable mpox antibodies and proteins.