NI firm Alpha PH has launched a rapid swab test for Covid-19 that the firm says gives test results within 15 minutes.
The test has been brought to the NI market by three Northern Ireland businessmen who have developed a partnership with European bio-tech company, Alpha Pharma, which is best know for its production and distribution of blood analysis systems, most commonly used in the detection and monitoring of diabetes.
The test is conducted without the need for laboratory analysis and in just over three weeks, the company has secured orders for 20,000 units from companies, sporting organisations and healthcare facilities across the UK and Ireland.
Alpha Pharma firstly launched its antibodies test in April, which it said has now been distributed to organisations, including hospitals and other healthcare facilities across the globe.
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The new test moves on from this, and doesn’t require to be sent away for lab analysis, Alpha PH stated.
Alpha PH secured the UK and Ireland distribution rights from Alpha Pharma, and the NI company is now distributing two products, the VivaDiag SARS-CoV-2Ag rapid swab antigen test and the Iris VivaDiag COVID-19 IgM IgG rapid antibody test.
Alpha PH Director, Kevin Sweeney, who has 20 years’ working within healthcare and pharma said: “Through a mutual connection, we heard about Alpha Pharma’s work back in April. Being based in Italy, the company had witnessed the devasting effects of coronavirus first-hand, and the business quickly pivoted its expertise, resources and technology to the trial and development of Covid-19 testing.
“Alpha Pharma’s first antibodies test is now widely used in medical settings and manufacturing in Italy and further afield, and we believe that these tests could really make a difference to public bodies and companies here in NI as we all try to navigate the future, ensuring safe workplaces and environments in the months ahead.”
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The Alpha Pharma tests have reportedly been 98% accurate in detecting positive coronavirus cases, dependent on duration of infection.
According to AlphaPH’s website, the testing kits have been available to buy since 25 September.
Last week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to introduce 15-minute swab tests in Tier 3 regions across the UK, adding that the government has already bought millions of saliva-based tests and they could be used in care homes, schools and universities in high risk areas.
The Daily Mail today (20 October) reported that the government has secured up to 20 million 'game changing' 15-minute testing kits made by Innova Tried and Tested, which also do not need to be sent to a laboratory.
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According to The Daily Telegraph, the government has struck a deal to purchase millions of kits, after they were validated at Public Health England's Porton Down facility and Downing Street yesterday added that seven hospitals across the UK are trialling two different tests, which can produce results in less than an hour without needing lab processing.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock also yesterday said the tests were showing ‘real promise’ - and revealed the government is investing in manufacturing capacity to produce them in the UK.
Anyone testing positive with the £15 Innova Sars-Cov-2 Antigen Test will have to have the result confirmed by a conventional swab test before they are asked to isolate.
