Immunoassay for synthetic cannabinoids of the adamantyl indazole/indole-3-carboxamide family

1. A polyclonal antibody derived from an immunogen having the structure:

wherein KLH is keyhole limpet hemocyanin;

wherein the polyclonal antibody binds to one or more epitopes of one or more molecules of Structure I′,

wherein X is H or F; Y is N or CH; and Z is H or OH; and wherein the polyclonal antibody has an IC 50 of 0.18 ng/ml for 3-OH-AKB48, 2.08 ng/ml for AKB-48, 2.10 ng/ml for N-(5-fluoropentyl)-AKB48 and 4.40 ng/ml for 3-OH-SDB001, and <1.00% cross-reactivity with AKB48 N-Pentanoic acid compared to 100% cross-reactivity with AKB48,

wherein the IC 50 values and cross-reactivity are determined by employing a tracer having the structure:

wherein HRP is horseradish peroxidase.

2. A solid state device supporting the polyclonal antibody of claim 1 .

3. The solid state device of claim 2 which is a biochip or a microtitre plate.

4. A kit for the detection or determination of compounds of Structure I′,

wherein X is H or F; Y is N or CH; and Z is H or OH, comprising the polyclonal antibody of claim 1 .

5. An immunoassay method for detecting or determining compounds of Structure I′

wherein X is H or F; Y is N or CH; and Z is H or OH;

the method comprising

contacting a solution or an in vitro sample taken from an individual suspected of containing compounds of Structure I′ with the polyclonal antibody of claim 1 ; and

one or more detecting agents;

measuring the signal produced by the one or more detecting agent; and

deducing from a calibrator the presence of, or amount of, compounds of Structure I′.

6. The immunoassay method of claim 1 wherein the detecting agent comprises:

7. A method of making an antibody comprising:

administering an immunogen having the structure of:

wherein KLH is keyhole limpet hemocyanin,

to a mammal; and

purifying the resultant antibody.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the antibody is a polyclonal antibody.