New Rapid Testing Method That Detects Viral Antigens Can Diagnose COVID-19 at Early Stage

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd. (Espoo, Finland) is collaborating with the Meilahti Vaccine Research Center (MeVac) of HUS and the University of Helsinki (Helsinki, Finland) for developing a new testing method based on the detection of viral antigens for the COVID-19-virus. The goal of the rapid test is to provide healthcare professionals with an accurate, fast, and resource-efficient method to detect coronavirus infections early. The samples used in the research have been collected from patients that have had the coronavirus infection and were admitted to the HUS Helsinki University Hospital.

The rapid testing method is based on the detection of viral antigens in nasopharyngeal samples, and it will make it possible to diagnose COVID-19 at an early stage of the disease. The test is designed to be performed by health care personnel – at least in its first phase. The results, however, will be returned significantly faster than with existing tests, within 15 minutes or less. The new test would also be considerably more cost-efficient than current testing methods. The antibody development has already started at VTT, and the first versions of the test are expected during the fall. The work on the rapid test now focuses specifically on COVID-19, but once the rapid testing technology is completed, the same development process could be quickly applied to diagnose also other viruses.

“As the situation with the epidemic began to worsen internationally, we started looking for solutions within our area of excellence. We have expertise in antibody development and production as well as previous experience in designing diagnostic tests. It was an easy decision for us to start working on the COVID-19 antibody,” said Dr. Leena Hakalahti, research team leader, Biosensors from VTT.

“Increasing the testing capacity plays a key role in monitoring the progress of the epidemic, but current testing methods require a lot of time and resources which limits the capacity. The purpose of the rapid test is to enable growing the testing capacity and ensuring the availability of tests even as the epidemic continues,” said research area vice president Dr. Jussi Paakkari from VTT.

Related Links:
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
Meilahti Vaccine Research Center