Rapid Point-of-Care COVID-19 Antigen Test Based on Waveguide Technology Could Deliver Results in Under Six Minutes

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 25 Feb 2021

Image: LightDeck (Photo courtesy of LightDeck Diagnostics)

Image: LightDeck (Photo courtesy of LightDeck Diagnostics)

A point-of-care COVID-19 antigen test currently under development promises to deliver results in less than six minutes by using the simple test procedure of waveguide technology.

LightDeck Diagnostics (Boulder, CO, USA) is developing the LightDeck COVID-19 Antigen Test that leverages the highly sensitive and simple test procedure of waveguide technology with cost-effective manufacturing techniques to deliver an accurate, scalable test. The LightDeck antigen test will be a significantly faster alternative to the current PCR based diagnostic tests, and offer better sensitivity and specificity than the available lateral flow-based tests that require at least 15 minutes to deliver results.

LightDeck has been awarded a USD 5.65 million contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to develop the rapid antigen test to detect SARS-CoV-2.

“The LightDeck COVID-19 Antigen Test will build on the existing product platform,” said Chris Myatt, CEO and Founder of LightDeck Diagnostics. “Every minute matters when we’re dealing with infectious diseases. We believe our technology can provide an optimal solution to the current gaps in COVID-19 diagnostic testing on a national level.”

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