DimerDye: A Rapid Illicit Drug Test
Background
The number of deaths per year due to illicit drug toxicity continues to rise. Over half of these toxicity deaths occur in an individual’s home. Post-mortem toxicology tests suggest that a great number of these deaths are caused by extreme fentanyl concentrations. From 2017‑ 2020 the top four drugs relevant to illicit toxicity deaths were: fentanyl and analogues: 87%, cocaine: 49%, methamphetamine: 35%, and other opioids: 30%, British Columbia’s Corner Officer [2020], Illicit Drug Toxicity Deaths, January 1, 2010 – November 30th, 2020. Canada has declared a public health emergency in response to opioid overdose crisis.
There is a need for a rapid illicit drug test for individuals to test the toxicity levels of their product at home. This would be a key way to mitigate the opioid overdose crisis. DimerDye fills this need.
Overview
A research team at the University of Victoria has developed a novel rapid illicit drug test to detect levels of toxicity in illicit drug samples at home. DimerDye compounds are salt-tolerant, providing them with the ability to function in biological fluids. When mixed with a fluid sample, DimerDye creates a unique fluorescent and/or colored “fingerprint.” This fingerprint can rapidly discriminate between closely related constituents, such as fentanyl, carfentanil and methamphetamines.
DimerDye is a family of self-assembling host-dye sensors. This rapid test uses multiple sensors in parallel by distributing them in different holding vessels or in different locations on a solid substrate. It can be used to measure a large number of analytes by generating a unique, turn-on, fluorescent and/or colorimetric fingerprint. DimerDye homodimerizes in water through a combination of hydrophobic attraction and electrostatic repulsion; therefore, the Dimer is preserved in solutions with high salt concentrations.
Benefits
- Can detect a wide range of analytes at varying concentrations.
- Exhibits high tolerance of physiological salt concentrations.
- Unique ability to function in complex biological media (urine, saliva, serum).
- Ability to measure a number of illicit drugs in parallel.
- Fluorescent and/or colorimetric “fingerprint”.
- Quick and clear results shown within minutes.
Applications
- Rapid testing of an illicit drug sample for toxicity levels
- Ability to be adapted for detection of a variety of hydrophobic-cation containing metabolites and peptides
Opportunity
- Collaborative research
- Unique kit development
- Commercial Partners
- Licensing
Patents
- U.S. Patent Application No. 16/911,250
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CAN Patent Application No. 3084887