The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) recently partnered with LightDeck Diagnostics to create a six-minute SARS-CoV-2 antigen test usable without the need for a full diagnostic laboratory.
This point of care test could be used for on-site screening of suspected COVID-19 cases in non-clinical settings, expanding diagnostics in nursing homes, essential workplaces, and community testing sites. This will be the first in vitro diagnostic panel LightDeck has pursued, but it also intends to push into tests for acute infections, sepsis, and heart attack triage in the future.
BARDA notes that the data provided by this potential COVID-19 test would add to the wealth of tests entering the market, aiding in infection assessment and help healthcare providers and patients alike to decide on proper treatment, contact tracing, and proper public health protection measures. Under the agreement with LightDeck, BARDA will help the company in additional studies required for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to consider emergency use authorization for the test in non-clinical settings, and eventually, full clearance to market the tests.