Enable Biosciences Inc. Reveals Key Findings on COVID-19 Transmission from Mothers to Newborns

Enable Biosciences Inc., a leader in advanced diagnostic technologies, in collaboration with the California Genetic Disease Screening Program, has achieved a breakthrough in understanding maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection and its impact on newborns. The groundbreaking study, "Shadow of a Pandemic: Persistence of Prenatal SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Newborn Blood Spots," published in the International Journal of Neonatal Screening, utilized Enable's innovative ADAP (Antibody Detection by Agglutination-PCR) assay.

This research is crucial in understanding how maternal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are transferred to and persist in newborns. The study involved analyzing dried blood spots from newborns for the presence of these antibodies. With 15.7% of newborns testing positive, the study provides new insights into the prevalence and longevity of maternal antibodies, highlighting a significant maternal transmission rate.

Dr. Jason Tsai, CTO of Enable Biosciences, commented, “This study is a landmark in neonatal research, offering unprecedented insights into maternal-to-neonatal antibody transfer. Our ADAP technology's role in this research is a testament to the importance of cutting-edge diagnostic tools in enhancing public health understanding and response strategies.”

The findings also revealed higher seroprevalence rates in certain demographics, signaling the need for tailored public health strategies. Notably, maternal antibodies were detected up to 11.7 months before delivery, suggesting their extended persistence in newborns.

In addition to this study, Enable Biosciences previously played a pivotal role in the California Department of Public Health’s statewide serosurvey, CalScope. This ambitious project, which invited over 200,000 households to participate, utilized an at-home dried blood spot testing program. The program, leveraging Enable's ADAP technology, included detecting biochemical markers of previous COVID infection, offering an innovative approach to understanding the pandemic's spread and impact.

The CalScope initiative represented a significant step forward in population-wide health monitoring and disease surveillance. By enabling participants to easily provide samples from the comfort of their homes, the survey overcomes traditional barriers to widespread testing. The insights gained from this large-scale effort are invaluable for public health planning and response, particularly in mapping the spread of COVID-19 and assessing community immunity levels.

Enable Biosciences’ ADAP technology is not only revolutionizing newborn screening and maternal health research but also playing a crucial role in broader infectious disease surveillance and population health management. The company’s commitment to innovation and healthcare improvement is evident in these multifaceted initiatives.

About Enable Biosciences Inc.

Based in South San Francisco, Enable Biosciences Inc. specializes in developing advanced diagnostic technologies. The company is dedicated to enhancing healthcare outcomes through groundbreaking solutions in disease detection and monitoring.