We are witnessing an unprecedented community effort as medical and civilian groups, specialized businesses, universities and researchers come together to combat COVID-19. 

People are working hard to provide care and keep us safe; producing face masks, hand sanitizer and medical equipment; tracking the virus to figure out how it works; and developing effective tests, vaccines and treatments. 

CSEM has stepped up to the mark and is throwing its weight behind this effort. We are hopeful that, by joining forces, we will be able to get back what this virus has taken away: a normal life.

Detecting COVID-19 in saliva and an affordable ventilator with a pressure sensor

CSEM is involved in two of the 11 projects selected by the Botnar Research Centre for Child Health, which is supported by the Fondation Botnar.

• Detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – using saliva. The project is led by SwissTPH, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute;
• Development of an innovative pressure sensor to regulate ventilation when a patient is intubated. This will help protect the patient’s lungs and other tissue already damaged by the disease. The project is led by UKBB, University Children's Hospital Basel.

New antibody test — Tracking COVID-19 and other infections in the population

CSEM and Swiss startup Adamant Innotech have come up with a robust test that can identify past infections – including COVID-19, the flu and around 15 other viruses. 

The two partners have teamed up to develop this fast and highly sensitive test, which uses a single drop of blood to detect antibodies the body has produced to fight various infections. 

The device is based on a mature optical microarray technology that has already been used in other medical applications. The new biosensor will simultaneously probe for up to 20 different types of antibodies, with test results ready in one to two hours.

A customized app to keep pace with the virus — Tracking new clusters with a smartphone app

CSEM teams are helping collect data from volunteers through a free smartphone app as part of the effort to stem the spread of coronavirus. 

The volunteers’ health and position data are collected via their smartphone, anonymized and then sent to Riva Digital: an online platform that maps out the readings in order to identify potential infection hotspots.
 

Early detection and infection tracking

2,000 AVA bracelets are being tested in Liechtenstein to detect early signs of COVID-19.

Biometric bracelets developed by Swiss startup AVA and based on CSEM technologies are currently being tested in Liechtenstein for their ability to detect early signs of COVID-19. 

The bracelets, which were originally designed to track fertility in women, will measure the wearers’ various physiological parameters while they sleep. 

In the first phase of the study, which is being run by a group of researchers and entrepreneurs, the bracelet will be tested on more than 2,000 volunteers between the ages of 33 and 51. 

Phase two of the study will expand testing to a larger population group. The collected data will be used to detect the virus as early as possible, track infection rates, and learn more about the disease.