Background :
Flaviviruses (including dengue virus) are the most common vector-borne human viral pathogens worldwide. Nearly 40% of the world’s population is at risk of dengue virus infection, with nearly 400 million infections occurring each year, resulting in an estimated 20,000 deaths. There is currently an unmet need for a non-invasive, sensitive, and accurate point-of-care assay to quantify flavivirus-specific antibody immunity. In addition, the only currently available dengue virus vaccine is only recommended for use in individuals with preexisting dengue virus antibodies. Therefore, a rapid, non-invasive antibody test to assess flavivirus immunity would enable safer, more accurate vaccine administration in settings where venipuncture is not feasible.
Technology Overview :
This technology is a saliva-based assay that rapidly, accurately, and noninvasively assesses flavivirus immunity by measuring multiple antibody classes in saliva. Saliva is collected via an absorbent swab and a separate proprietary protein-stabilization solution. The collection method is uncomplicated and can be self-performed. Once collected and placed in the stabilizer solution, the saliva is stable at room temperature for several days, for weeks at 4 °C, or indefinitely below -20 °C. Testing the saliva sample uses a diagnostic instrument and a custom-designed flavivirus antigen panel. The assay can assess the specificity of homotypic humoral immune responses to dengue viruses (1-4), Zika virus, and JE virus, as well as distinguish individuals with polytypic dengue virus immunity from those who have previously experienced both dengue virus and Zika virus infections.
Advantages :
Applications :
Intellectual Property Summary : Know-How Based.
Stage of Development : TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept
Licensing Status : This technology is available for licensing.
Licensing Potential : This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in the development of therapeutics for flaviviruses, including:
• Pharmaceutical companies.
• Hospitals.
• Medical research laboratories.
• Universities.
• Humanitarian organizations.
About the Research Foundation for the State University of New York:
As the nation's largest research foundation supporting the nation's largest public university system, The Research Foundation for SUNY powers research and innovation to address today's most pressing problems and shape a better future for generations to come. The Research Foundations supports SUNY researchers leading the way globally in AI for the public good, quantum technologies, next-generation semiconductors, biotech and medicine, energy and climate solutions, and more. The Research Foundation for SUNY is a private, nonprofit educational corporation that is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit us online at rfsuny.org .
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu .