Siemens Healthineers Significantly Expanding COVID-19 Testing Including Antibody Test
Siemens Healthineers, a medical solutions company, announced on Thursday that it is drastically expanding its infectious disease testing in order to provide support and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If all goes according to plan, the test could hugely assist in the fight against the outbreak.
SEE ALSO: FDA HAS AUTHORIZED COVID-19 TEST BASED ON ANTIBODIES
What is the test?
Siemens Healthineers has developed a laboratory-based complete antibody test which detects the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in the blood. This added test will offer a clear view in patients' progression of the disease as it identifies those people who have developed an immunity against COVID-19 after having contracted it.
The test has offered specificity and sensitivity of more than 99%.
Breaking News: We are planning to launch a total antibody test for SARS-CoV-2 with an anticipated sensitivity and specificity of more than 99% - the test is expected to exceed the stringent FDA quality guidelines. #FightCOVID19 #InThisTogether https://t.co/Oz4yGbDHTX pic.twitter.com/38FW6EDSDC
— Siemens Healthineers (@SiemensHealth) April 23, 2020
"Siemens Healthineers is working diligently to address the need for high-quality tests in the fight against COVID-19. This test is being designed with the precision and controls, sensitivity and specificity that laboratories have come to expect from our immunoassay tests," said Deepak Nath, President of Laboratory Diagnostics at Siemens Healthineers. "I am especially proud of the dedication of our colleagues involved in development of this test—many of whom are based at the U.S. epicenter of the pandemic."
Siemens Healthineers anticipates the test will be available in late May 2020, which, if all goes according to plan, will offer more than 25 million tests per month from June onwards.
The analyzing system the company will use can run up to 440 tests per hour and gives results in an astonishingly fast 14 minutes. Moreover, the company also plans on running a serology test, which will deliver up to 240 tests an hour, with the results showing up in 18 minutes. These tests will enable more patients to be tested more quickly in the, seemingly, near future.
It's a promising step forward in the fight against the pandemic.
#FightCOVID19: We are planning to launch a total antibody test with an anticipated sensitivity and specificity of more than 99% and the first result in as little as 14 minutes. #InThisTogether
— Siemens Healthineers (@SiemensHealth) April 23, 2020