NEW YORK – OraSure Technologies said on Wednesday it has been awarded a $629,217 contract by the US Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to develop an ELISA test for detecting antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in oral fluid specimens.
According to the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based company, there are no oral fluid-based COVID antibody tests available with automated assays.
The BARDA funding will aid OraSure to complete the development of the test and submit an application with the US Food and Drug Administration for Emergency Use Authorization. OraSure previously received BARDA funding for a rapid, antigen at-home test also using oral fluids.
"The coronavirus pandemic is complicated and fast moving. It will take a variety of tests to get it under control," OraSure President and CEO Stephen Tang said in a statement. "We believe that the combination of the OraSure antibody and antigen tests along with our sample collection capabilities, can give people insight into their COVID-19 status across the infection spectrum."