Cambridgeshire-based company announces plans for world-first Covid-19 test that gives results in under 10 minutes
A new testing lab in Cambridgeshire has announced plans to create the world's first instrument-free diagnostic test for Covid-19.
Sense Biodetection are the company developing the disposable test and they say it'll use a nasal swab that can give reliable results in under 10 minutes.
The firm is partnering with Phillips-Medisize, a Molex company and leading global medical device manufacturer, to scale-up production of its test in order to meet the growing demand for diagnostics.
Hospitals in the region are currently using equipment-based testing systems. Addenbrooke's in Cambridge has been using 10 portable machines called Samba II. The devices can diagnose Covid-19 in less than 90 minutes.
Sense Biodetection says their test is so effective because it is instrument-free, meaning that it can be used anywhere, and can even be distributed for home use.
They believe this will help to isolate people quicker, and get uninfected people back to work:
It comes as Bedfordshire-based firm Mologic launches a new lab-based antibody test for the virus, which can produce 46,000 results a day.
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