Richmond’s bioLytical Laboratories is receiving funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to develop a one-minute test for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Coronavirus disease.
The new INSTI COVID-19 Antibody Test is being developed on bioLytical’s proprietary INSTI platform, a testing technology that detects antibodies within 1-minute from a single drop of blood.
By detecting antibodies to COVID-19 in a single drop of blood, INSTI does not require additional materials such as swabs. Along with the test device, all materials required to perform the test are provided together in one small pouch; leading this testing platform to become known as “a lab in a pouch.”
By showing whether an individual has developed an immune response to the virus, antibody testing can provide evidence of the true extent of COVID-19 infections in the general population. Additionally, antibody tests can support scientists in analyzing the effectiveness of future vaccines or identify those who require a vaccine.
As public health leaders embrace measures such as drive-thru testing for COVID-19, a one-minute test provides efficiency and convenience which benefits providers and the individuals receiving testing.