NEW YORK – Biolytical has been awarded funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to develop a test for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2.Â
The award totals C$633,000 ($460,000) and will support development of a test on the firm's INSTI platform. The platform performs 60-second antibody testing directly from finger stick whole-blood samples, as previously reported.
The Richmond, British Columbia-based firm currently markets a rapid HIV antibody test that claims more than 99 percent accuracy. The HIV test has US Food and Drug Administration clearance, Health Canada License, CE mark, and World Health Organization prequalification.
The firm also uses its INSTI technology for a home-use HIV self-test solution. The self-test is CE marked and WHO Prequalified, and it recently completed clinical trials in Canada, according to a statement.
Currently, Biolytical's product line includes the INSTI HIV-1/HIV-2 Antibody Test, INSTI Multiplex HIV/Syphilis Test, and INSTI HIV Self Test, with test solutions for hepatitis C in the development pipeline.Â
The NRC IRAP award includes advisory services, and the organization is also partnering with the Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada's (ISED) Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program to support small and medium-sized businesses that require financial support for COVID-19 solutions.