NEW YORK — Smiths Detection said on Wednesday that it has partnered with Attomarker on the development and manufacture of a SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing device.
UK-based Attomarker was spun out of the University of Exeter to develop a handheld device that works with a smartphone to rapidly measure blood biomarkers for liver disease and food allergens, as well as C-reactive protein. The company has also developed a test designed to detect immunoglobulin M, G, and A antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
Attomarker said that Triple Antibody Test demonstrated 96 percent sensitivity in a recent pilot study, leading to its recent approval by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
According to London-based Smiths Detection, it worked with Attomarker to develop a desktop device that can run the SARS-CoV-2 test and has thus far manufactured 10 preproduction units. Attomarker said that device production can be ramped up to meet demand and that it aims to develop a miniaturized version of the Triple Antibody Test that works with a smartphone to enable point-of-care and at-home testing.
Attomarker said that it is also evaluating a combination SARS-CoV-2 and influenza antibody test.