A made in Wales antibody test is being introduced throughout the 海角视频 to tell whether people have had coronavirus.
As part of 海角视频 approach new-style blood tests, including those produced in Pencoed by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (Ortho), are being rolled out.
Ortho became involved after responding to a call to action to help with the coronavirus response from the First Minister and Life Sciences Hub Wales.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething said 鈥淭he approval and production of the new antibody test is an important step forward in our efforts to stop the spread of the virus, protect the public and ease lockdown restrictions.
鈥淭his test will tell us if people have already had coronavirus. But it is important to say although the test can tell if someone has had the virus, it鈥檚 not certain as to how much immunity they鈥檒l have to the virus."
Ortho developed a manufacturing base for serological testing in Wales over the last 40 years. It employs more than 500 people at its site in Pencoed and produces many millions of tests each week for a wide range of disease states and medical conditions for distribution globally.聽
Working in partnership with Public Health Wales, Ortho will provide its Covid-19 assays produced in Pencoed to support COVID-19 testing across Wales. The tests can detect antibodies that can be used to identify an immune response.
Paul Hales, senior director of operations at Ortho, said: 鈥淲e have built a deep manufacturing expertise here in Wales over many years enabling us to produce these important products
"The team has been working day and night to reach a mass scale of production of our Covid-19 assays. At Ortho, we believe every test is a life and are proud to see these kits being used in Wales.鈥
Cari-Anne Quinn, chief executive of Life Sciences Hub Wales, said: 鈥淭he company鈥檚 history and pedigree in infectious disease testing allowed us to quickly identify Ortho as a Wales-based company with proven capabilities that would place it at the international forefront antibody testing. We are proud to facilitate a partnership that has enabled these vital tests to be qualified by Public Health Wales for the benefit of people in Wales and beyond.鈥
