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Adaptive Biotechnologies from Microsoft and Seattle are looking for 1,000 people across the country for a “virtual clinical trial” to better understand how the human immune system responds to COVID-19.
Their ultimate goal is to develop a third diagnostic test for COVID-19 that uses existing PCR tests (which detect the presence of the live virus) and serological tests (which detect antibodies to indicate that someone has recovered from the disease) ) goes out. This third type of test would look for a specific "signature" in the T cells involved in the immune system's response to the disease.
The new study is intended to help identify this signature in the immune response.
"We have learned how the adaptive immune system naturally recognizes and treats all diseases over the past decade, and we are well positioned to apply our immune medicine platform specifically to COVID-19," said Chad Robins, CEO of Adaptive Biotechnologies , in a statement. "We hope that we can bring in important information that will become part of an immune scan to reopen society."
Microsoft and Adaptive originally announced their plan in March. You are now looking for participants who have had a confirmed case of COVID-19 (regardless of whether they are currently suffering from the disease or have recovered) or those who have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case.
The study is called "ImmuneRACE". for immune response action to COVID-19 events. It focuses on 20 major metropolitan areas across the country and requires that participants plan a home visit through a mobile phlebotomician to collect blood samples and nose or throat swabs. Health diagnostics company LabCorp monitors blood samples and nose / throat swabs.
Advanced testing is generally seen as the key to reopening businesses and easing restrictions on group activities so that no new outbreaks occur. The companies say that developing a third type of diagnostic test could complement existing alternatives or provide an alternative to help healthcare providers screen patients for risk and help with ongoing surveillance tests to determine the risk of disease spreading to the population .
"Immune response data can expand what we've learned so far to determine who is at greater risk of developing more severe symptoms and can help with future containment efforts," said Peter Lee, corporate vice president of AI and Research, Microsoft , in a statement. "Everyone affected by COVID-19 has vital information that can help contain and manage the virus."
Adaptive and Microsoft have a longstanding partnership that leverages Microsoft's machine learning and cloud capabilities to map the immune system's response to a variety of diseases.
As part of a separate partnership, pharmaceutical company Amgen announced last month a plan to use Adaptive's proprietary technology platform to develop therapies to treat COVID-19.
