Wall Street journal today26 May 2020 23:21
To stretch beyond the lab, test developers are racing to produce next-stage technologies that could allow for rapid widespread testing as quickly as an at-home pregnancy test.
OraSure Technologies Inc., of Bethlehem, Pa., said it has a contract with the Health and Human Services department to develop a rapid Covid-19 antigen test called a lateral flow assay. It uses strips to find viral proteins in oral fluid taken from between the gums and the cheek. The test is based on technology already deployed in the company’s HIV self-test.
The lateral flow assay strips, similar to a home pregnancy test, look for viral antigens in saliva or a nose swab and are one of the major technologies companies are exploring. These tests are different, though technologically similar, to rapid antibody tests, which look for signs of past infection in a small sample of blood. Antibody tests, however, can’t diagnose a current infection.
Last month, the National Institutes of Health announced a competition meant to speed up development of diagnostic technologies, with the goal of millions of rapid tests a week available by the end of summer, and more by flu season. The Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics, or RADx, initiative, often compared with the TV show “Shark Tank,” will provide finalists with up to $500 million and technical, business and manufacturing expertise.
Over 1,700 groups have registered, more than 280 have applied, and 40 have advanced to a “deep dive” review stage. Bruce Tromberg, director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the NIH, which is leading the initiative, says he is expecting five to 10 finalists to emerge.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/race-is-on-to-create-rapid-covid-19-tests-for-the-fall-11590494400
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