Siemens Receives CE-Mark for Clinitest Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test for Unsupervised Self Testing

Siemens Healthineers’ (Erlangen, Germany) CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test has received CE Mark certification for unsupervised self-testing by laypersons 12 and older, including at-home testing.

The nasal swab test can be used for symptomatic or asymptomatic self-testing. For children younger than 12 years, the samples must be collected by or under supervision of an adult. The CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test is available in packs of one test, five tests, and 20 tests. Additionally, two configurations of the five and 20 test packages are available: a multi-use test buffer bottle, or tubes pre-filled with the test buffer solution for added convenience depending on the environment in which the test will be used.

The CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test has a sensitivity of 97.25% and a specificity of 100% (compared to a PCR, or nucleic acid-detection method) and provides results in 15 minutes. The simple process for collecting a nasal swab and obtaining a result are included in the Instructions for Use. A nasal swab is collected from both nostrils and then the swab is washed in a buffer to reveal a specific protein inside the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The sample is then dispensed onto the test cassette and after 15 minutes the result is visible. The position and number of lines clearly indicate whether the test is positive or negative.

“The CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test is among the first CE-marked tests for home use, making information about a possible infection with COVID-19 more widely available without long wait times. Siemens Healthineers has been able to offer a variety of high-quality tests to address all COVID-19 testing needs and this option makes testing even more convenient for a greater number of people," said Christoph Pedain, Head of Point of Care Diagnostics at Siemens Healthineers.