Colorado Company Develops Rapid Test For New Coronavirus

A pharmaceutical company in Colorado has developed a rapid test for the new coronavirus. The test detects antibodies for the virus in blood samples of people who have signs and symptoms.

Aytu BioScience, based in Englewood, developed the COVID-19 IgG/IgM test for professional use only. The test delivers results between 2 and 10 minutes at the point of care.

Aytu BioScience sought emergency use authorization with the FDA; however according to a KVDR report, the FDA has now approved the test for distribution.

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Josh Disbrow, the company's chief executive officer, told KVDR that 100,000 tests have been ordered and that Aytu BioScience is "just days away from placing these kits into the hands of healthcare professionals."

The company has also expanded its distribution rights for the rapid test to Canada and Mexico.

"We have to be progressive in doing our part in combating the spread of the COVID-19 virus," Disbrow said in a news release issued Thursday. "We need to ensure that screening is available across North America and providing broad access to screening tests has to be among our highest priorities as we collectively fight the coronavirus outbreak. With COVID-19 now designated as a global pandemic, we believe we should expand our efforts to assist healthcare providers with faster point-of-care detection."

Read the full KVDR report here.