Abbott Launches Testing Platform That Detects COVID-19 In Less Than 5 Minutes

Abbott Laboratories announced that it has launched its ID NOW testing platform which is capable of detecting COVID-19 results in less than 5 minutes. The platform is used to provide rapid results in a wide range of healthcare locations such as physician offices, clinics and hospital emergency departments.

ID NOW is a rapid, instrument-based, isothermal system for the qualitative detection of infectious diseases, according to the company. It uses molecular technology with unique isothermal nucleic acid amplification for high degree of accuracy and could provide results in just minutes. Furthermore, it is compact and portable, weighing in at roughly 3kg.

BREAKING: We’re launching a test that can detect COVID-19 in as little as 5 minutes—bringing rapid testing to the frontlines. https://t.co/LqnRpPpqMM pic.twitter.com/W8jyN2az8G

— Abbott (@AbbottNews) March 27, 2020

“The COVID-19 pandemic will be fought on multiple fronts, and a portable molecular test that offers results in minutes adds to the broad range of diagnostic solutions needed to combat this virus,” said Abbott president and COO Robert B. Ford. “With rapid testing on ID NOW, healthcare providers can perform molecular point-of-care testing outside the traditional four walls of a hospital in outbreak hot spots.”

Abbott will be making ID NOW tests available next week to healthcare providers in urgent care settings in the United States for the time being. Additionally, the company is also working with US Administration to deploy tests to other areas which require the platform’s capabilities.

(Source: Abbott Laboratories)

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