As it stands, it takes between 24 and 72 hours for those tested for coronavirus to hear whether or not they have tested positive. The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) in collaboration with a Danish biotech company is close to changing that.
Lightning quick
Before the end of the year, it is hoped that a home test they have developed will be available, which is capable of giving users a response in five to ten minutes.
In a post on LinkedIn, SDU explained that BioPorto – a biotech company based in Hellerup – were happy for the project to proceed to the next stage of development. This rapid progress brings the test closer to release.
In a scrape
Jonas Heilskov Graversen, a researcher involved in the project, explained to TV2 that the test would require a swab to be taken from the back of the throat. This is then placed in a liquid and a result is revealed minutes later.
A similar test was recently approved in the US, providing an answer in 15 minutes. It is expected that 50 million kits will be produced a month from October onwards.
It is this model that the SDU and BioPorto hope to emulate, with intentions to apply for urgent certification from the EU and the FDA if development continues at the current pace.
