A rapid coronavirus antibody detection test devised by a Derby firm has received a resounding endorsement from the hospital which saved the life of Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Experts at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospital and Kings College University, in London, have been carrying out one of the most exhaustive examinations of antibody tests since Covid-19 emerged.
They have been comparing the accuracy of tests from different companies and have published data which shows that a test developed by SureScreen performed outstandingly in critical areas.
The tests have been deemed so good that the prestigious hospital is now using them daily.
The study illustrates how important quality antibody testing is for combatting Covid-19.
If used in mass testing, it could be vital in showing how many people had contracted the virus and lead to a better understanding of potential immunity.
SureScreen hopes that St Thomas’s validation will mean that it can work more closely with Public Health England in testing and helping NHS workers and those in the care sector.
It would be particularly useful in demonstrating whether NHS workers have had Covid-19 or not.
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The firm, based at Prime Enterprise Park, has been involved in diagnostic healthcare testing for a quarter of a century.
It developed its 10-minute Covid-19 test within weeks of the outbreak in Wuhan.
Since then millions of its tests have been used in Germany, Spain, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, Peru and Panama.
SureScreen director David Campbell said: “Our test detects two key antibodies, which are created by the body in response to Covid-19 infection; known as IgG and IgM.
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“The test can be used quickly in 10 minutes at the patient side, without the need to wait on results from the laboratory.
“It is perfect for use in a hospital setting, or longer-term to identify if someone has built up antibodies from a previous infection.
“We hope that the test can be used within the NHS to help the fight against this pandemic.”