Oxford scientists develop five-minute COVID-19 antigen test

 

FILE PHOTO: A man walks in front of the buildings of Oxford University, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Oxford, Britain, October 6, 2020. REUTERS/Matthew Childs

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists from Britain's University of Oxford have developed a rapid COVID-19 test able to identify the coronavirus in less than five minutes, researchers said on Thursday, adding it could be used in mass testing at airports and businesses.

 

The university said it hoped to start product development of the testing device in early 2021 and have an approved device available six months afterwards.

 

The device is able to detect the coronavirus and distinguish it from other viruses with high accuracy, the researchers said in a pre-print study.

 

"Our method quickly detects intact virus particles," said Professor Achilles Kapanidis, at Oxford's Department of Physics, adding that this meant the test would be "simple, extremely rapid, and cost-effective".

 

Rapid antigen tests are seen as key in rolling out mass-testing and re-opening economies while the coronavirus is still circulating, and those that are already in use are faster and cheaper but less accurate than existing molecular PCR tests.

 

Siemens Healthineers on Wednesday announced the launch of a rapid antigen test kit in Europe to detect coronavirus infections, but warned that the industry may struggle to meet a surge in demand.

 

Although the Oxford platform will only be ready next year, the tests could help manage the pandemic in time for next winter. Health officials have warned that the world will need to live with coronavirus even if a vaccine is developed.

 

"A significant concern for the upcoming winter months is the unpredictable effects of co-circulation of SARS-CoV-2 with other seasonal respiratory viruses," said Dr Nicole Robb, of Warwick Medical School.

 

"We have shown that our assay (test) can reliably distinguish between different viruses in clinical samples, a development that offers a crucial advantage in the next phase of the pandemic."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-15

 

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3 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The device is able to detect the coronavirus and distinguish it from other viruses with high accuracy

hope they dont consider 51 % as 'high accuracy'

28 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The university said it hoped to start product development of the testing device in early 2021 and have an approved device available six months afterwards.

So, it won't be ready until June 2021.

6 hours ago, stubuzz said:

So, it won't be ready until June 2021.

If this virus continues to circulate for say another 3 or 4 years then that's not a problem is it?

 

We do seem to be hearing quite a lot out of Oxford University on this virus.

Next year?

 

They love a 'next year' at Oxford. 

35 minutes ago, ukrules said:

If this virus continues to circulate for say another 3 or 4 years then that's not a problem is it?

 

We do seem to be hearing quite a lot out of Oxford University on this virus.

They've poured a huge amount of effort into it. One of the very few set-ups on this earth able to get it right.

 

28 minutes ago, AndrewMciver said:

Next year?

 

They love a 'next year' at Oxford. 

Would you prefer a produced-in-a-day, China-style wonder drug that has not been properly researched and tested and makes you grow another head?

1 hour ago, car720 said:

Not an end to it but good news all the same.

True, it's going to be step by step. And as said, it's good news.

9 hours ago, daveAustin said:

 

 

Would you prefer a produced-in-a-day, China-style wonder drug that has not been properly researched and tested and makes you grow another head?

 

Yes. 

18 hours ago, YetAnother said:

hope they dont consider 51 % as 'high accuracy'

According to the published paper:

 

Quote

The trained network was able to differentiate positive and negative IBV samples with high accuracy (91.4%), sensitivity (91.9%) and specificity (90.9%).

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.13.20212035v1.full.pdf+html

On 10/15/2020 at 3:24 AM, snoop1130 said:

COVID-19 test able to identify the coronavirus in less than five minutes,

 

On 10/15/2020 at 3:24 AM, snoop1130 said:

it could be used in mass testing at airports and businesses.

 

That means that international air travel could resume , at least for the ones who test negative ?

It's accuracy has to be proven beyond any doubt then ...

An end to all the restrictions imposed by the governments ?

Wait and see ...

10 hours ago, daveAustin said:

They've poured a huge amount of effort into it. One of the very few set-ups on this earth able to get it right.

 

Would you prefer a produced-in-a-day, China-style wonder drug that has not been properly researched and tested and makes you grow another head?

At least I would have someone to talk to ????

Taiwan has developed a 5 min PCR test.

On 10/15/2020 at 5:54 PM, stubuzz said:

So, it won't be ready until June 2021.

who cares? there already is a highly accurate antigen rapid test by Roche, result in 15 minutes.

A post containing false or misleading information and replies has been removed.   Continue to post from conspiracy sites will earn a suspension.  

 

antigen tests are available everywhere but not in Thailand it seems ?

saliva tests as well, they are even used in Africa !

 

On 10/16/2020 at 1:33 AM, daveAustin said:

They've poured a huge amount of effort into it. One of the very few set-ups on this earth able to get it right.

 

Abbot announced the first one in August for $5. It's a small test card.

 

On 10/16/2020 at 5:58 PM, tgw said:

who cares? there already is a highly accurate antigen rapid test by Roche, result in 15 minutes.

 

Roche's is a large high throughput machine for testing centres.

10 hours ago, rabas said:

Roche's is a large high throughput machine for testing centres.

 

maybe they have one like that as well, but I meant a rapid testing kit for use and almost immediate results.