Biokit has a large amount of expertise in the design and manufacturing of biomaterials, including antigens (native and recombinant), antibodies (monoclonal and polyclonal) and sera.

Biokit offers its expertise in designing and manufacturing biomaterials (expression, purification and characterisation) for large IVD manufacturers with proven results in diagnostic kits. More than 80 companies in the IVD industry rely on biomaterials and specialised OEM products and services from Biokit.

Please find below some relevant information about viral antigens and Biokit’s related portfolio.

Viral Antigens

Viruses are infectious pathogens that cause a broad range of diseases. A virus is a small infectious agent that only replicates inside the living cells of other organisms. Viruses can infect all types of life forms, from animals and plants to microorganisms, including bacteria and archaea.

Viruses are complex agents consisting of proteins and an RNA or DNA genome. They lack both cellular structure and independent metabolic processes.

A mature virus particle, also known as a virion, consists of the following basic components:

• DNA or RNA genome.
• A capsid, which is composed of virus-coded proteins enclosing the nucleic acid of the virus that determine its antigenicity.
• An envelope that surrounds the capsid (optional).

A viral antigen is a protein encoded by the viral genome that can be detected by a specific immunological response. Viral antigens protrude from the capsid and often fulfil an important function by docking to the host cell, fusing and injecting viral DNA/RNA. For this reason, viral antigens are used in clinical testing to investigate the presence of an antibody in a specific viral infection.

Biokit’s offer

Biokit provides highly purified native viral antigens, produced using mammalian expression systems for use in serological based in-vitro diagnostic assays.

Main highlights:

• Biokit produces native viral antigens from a range of viral diseases (Hepatitis B, Rubella and Cytomegalovirus).
• Biokit’s production systems are extremely optimised and characterised to ensure high sensitivity and specificity in a variety of antibody detection assays, including chemiluminescence, ELISA and rapid tests.
• Variety of adherent cell cultures to be able to adapt to every need
• T-Flask (25 cm2 to 225 cm2 )
  • Triple flask (500 cm2 )
  • Cell factories (1200 cm2 to 6000 cm2 )
  • Roller bottles (850 cm2 to 1700 cm2 )
  • Microcarriers in single use bioreactors
• Optimal grade or concentration and antigen purity are assessed by our Purification Department.