Media Update, page-69

13 Oct'20 - not AT1/partner related. General example of how small & quicker the RT-PCR tests are becoming + accuracy almost equal to lengthier 24hr lab PCR tests + being paired with mobile apps/cloud tech + someday may rival RDTs for ~15min time.

I have seen other dev articles saying that <30min RT-PCR tests are likely to be commercially available in 3-6mths time.

Mining industry leading the way with new COVID-19 rapid-testing technology
https://www.northernontariobusiness.com/industry-news/mining/mining-industry-leading-the-way-with-new-covid-19-rapid-testing-technology-2786409

The "SARS-CoV-2 Real-Time RT-PCR Test" was developed by Biomeme and Precision Biomonitoring companies (jointly). It has US FDA EUA + Health Canada approvals (one of the very few tests that Canada has approved for private use/field trials)

Company is also working on saliva based RT-PCR version already.

- accuracy


- requires no special lab equipment or cold chain and is intended for the qualitative detection of RNA from SARS-CoV-2 in nasal and throat swab samples. Does require 2 technicians though (1 sample taker + 1 tech to conduct tests)

- Total kit weighs 1.2 kg, battery-operated, able to deliver results for up to 9 samples in ~60min. The mobile device+software are marketed for all locations where screening is needed such as assessment centers, long-term care and nursing homes, retirement communities, ships, airports, borders and more distant regions.

- multiplex test, so the lab PCR process steps + time are cut down as embedded along the the same strip

- comes with free and intuitive smartphone mobile app, pairs wirelessly with the device to easily run, monitor, and analyze the results of each test. Tests can be run online or offline, results can be interpreted in real-time, and all data can be securely synced to the cloud

- comes in scalable form, for small field runs (9 samples simultaneously) upto high throughput labs (96 samples simultaneously).

IFU is below:
Though results are expected ~60min, the prepping of the reagents, buffer soln, sample etc still requires a trained technician + time to get it ready (+30min?)...which is probably one of the next R&D steps in cutting down time...how to retain lab PCR level steps without needing the extra people + manual prep stages..

(I can't understand all the prep steps, despite multiple readings..but I am not a lab technician...maybe dguru88 will get it easily)
https://www.fda.gov/media/141052/download

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/health-canada-authorizes-precision-biomonitoring-to-import-and-sell-biomeme-s-sars-cov-2-real-time-rt-pcr-test-in-response-to-covid-19-869985862.html?utm_source=northern%20ontario%20business&utm_campaign=northern%20ontario%20business&utm_medium=referral