- Government has purchased 1 million antibody tests from the UK
Rapid Test Consortium
- The British-made antibody testing kits will support
nationwide surveillance studies to track the spread of COVID-19
in the population
The Government has signed a deal with the UK Rapid Test
Consortium for 1 million antibody tests, Health Minister
has announced
today.
The home antibody tests will be rolled out as part of the
government’s COVID-19 surveillance studies to help build a
picture of how the virus has spread across the country and
further develop our understanding of how antibodies work.
The test uses a fingerpick device and provides a result within 20
minutes, without the need to be sent to a lab for analysis and
therefore has no impact on testing lab capacity.
The tests have been produced and manufactured by British
diagnostics companies including Abingdon Health, BBI Group
Holding Limited, CIGA Healthcare Limited, and Omega Diagnostics
Limited in the UK Rapid Test Consortium set up at the start of
the pandemic - and demonstrate how, supported by government
investment, the UK diagnostics industry is leading on the global
stage in our efforts to tackle COVID-19.
Health Minister said:
"Home testing is a powerful tool in understanding the disease and
fighting its spread. So we are thrilled by the RTC product, both
for Britain and export markets around the world."
Chris Yates, CEO of Abingdon Health, who led the UK-RTC
said:
“The UK Government order of the first one million tests is an
endorsement of this UK-designed, developed and manufactured
high-quality rapid diagnostic test. It is a triumph of British
business and a breakthrough for UK life sciences.
“We have ramped up production since the start of August and will
be ready to deliver the first tests to the Government by early
October. I would like to express my thanks to all my Abingdon
Health colleagues for their tremendous support and hard work in
achieving this milestone.”
Testing positive for antibodies does not mean you are immune to
COVID-19. Currently, there is no firm evidence that the presence
of antibodies means someone cannot be re-infected with the virus
and it is vital individuals continue to follow national
guidelines including social distancing measures, getting a swab
test if they have symptoms and wearing face coverings where
required.
The antibody test has been evaluated by PHE and this evaluation
will be published in due course.
Notes to editors
- The UK-Rapid Test Consortium was set up by Abingdon Health to
bring together scientists and medical technology manufacturers to
be able to deliver millions of test kits as quickly as possible.
By working together, some of the UK’s leading medical technology
companies will deliver more volume more quickly to help fight
COVID-19.
