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Faster, Cheaper, More Reliable COVID-19 Tests Needed for the Unprecedented Demand Ahead

FN Media Group Presents USA News Group News Commentary

 

Vancouver, BC –October 20, 2021 – USA News Group  –  It may have its beginning for the UK travel industry, but there are signs of the end of using polymerase chain reaction, better known as the PCR test, to detect Covid-19. Mass testing is becoming a major burden, as European nations, such as Finland and Estonia are contemplating scrapping the test, while a top UK watchdog began an investigation back in August into the test’s pricing and reliability. With new employee mandates in the US set to impact roughly 100 million Americans, it’s worth looking at what testing options are out there beyond the PCR, which often takes days to return results. With the NIH investing $248.7 million in new testing technologies, as well as new options under review by the FDA and other bodies, it’s worth looking at the market’s response, including offerings from BioVaxys Technology Corp. (CSE:BIOV) (OTCQB:BVAXF), Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX), Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ:QDEL) and CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS).

 

Instead of just testing for the virus itself, a new test that screens for a T cell-mediated immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is in development through the work of BioVaxys Technology Corp. (CSE:BIOV) (OTCQB:BVAXF) and $63-billion Chinese biomanufacturing partners, WuXi Biologics.

 

The test is called CoviDTH, and is based on Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity (“DTH“) technology. It’s the world’s first low cost, disposable, diagnostic to identify a T-cell immune response to the presence of SARS-CoV-2. Data for this form of testing suggests it may even be more accurate than current methods, by measuring the immune system’s active infection response.

 

Current tests for immunity to Covid-19 only measure antibodies, while the other form of the immune response, T cell immunity, is often ignored. Recent study results in humans showed that the DTH response is highly durable and persists for at least one year after COVID-19 exposure or vaccine administration.

 

Measuring T cell immunity requires the drawing of two ounces of blood from the test subject and a time-consuming and expensive analysis of the blood sample at laboratories possessing specialized equipment.

 

BioVaxys recently announced that WuXi successfully completed synthesis of a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 s-protein, which the company can then use as part of its work towards potential a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for CoviDTH, as well as BVX-0320, the company’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

 

Both products are headed for clinical trials, with BioVaxys having begun preparing an IND submission to the FDA for a combined Phase I/II clinical study of CoviDTH as a diagnostic for evaluating T-cell immune response to SARS-CoV-2.

 

“The production of the recombinant s-protein using WuXi Biologics’ proprietary cell expression system is a significant milestone for Biovaxys,” said Kenneth Kovan, President and COO of BioVaxys. “We not only have a high production yield of protein, but also now have the ability and know-how to produce protein in large scale with the level of purity, consistency and protein characterization required by the FDA for our clinical studies and commercial-scale yields.”

 

By detecting T-cell activation, it’s believed that this can potentially identify safe and/or at-risk populations, while also providing an ability to evaluate the effectiveness of any SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in stimulating T-cell immunity—something that BioVaxys is also currently developing, through their SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BVX-0320, which is also set to be aided greatly by the WuXi partnership.

 

Back in August, Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX) (or ‘BD’) received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for the BD VeritorTM At-Home Covid-19 Test—the first at-home Covid-19 rapid antigen test to use computer vision technology in a smartphone to interpret and provide digital display of testing results. The BD Veritor™ At-Home COVID-19 Test is designed to be easily performed at home by people 14 years of age or older, using Scanwell Health’s app to provide clear digital results in 15 minutes. The test can also be used for children as young as two years old with samples collected by an adult.

 

“The rise in COVID-19 cases from the Delta variant has increased the demand for at-home testing, and the BD Veritor™ At-Home COVID-19 Test is an easy-to-use test with definitive digital results that is ideal for use in the home,” said Dave Hickey, president of Life Sciences for BD. “New mandates from governments and businesses are specifying the need for periodic testing for those who cannot or chose not to be vaccinated, and this new test may help businesses, governments or schools fulfill those requirements.”

 

Another at-home test, the QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test from Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ:QDEL) which in early September became widely available in the US across more than 7,000 CVS Health Corporation (NYSE:CVS) locations. This rapid antigen test enables consumers to perform the test themselves easily and get results within minutes without a doctor’s prescription. Each shelf-stable package contains two self-administered rapid antigen tests.

 

“We’re experiencing high demand for over-the-counter testing products and are working with our suppliers to meet that demand,” said CVS spokesperson Matt Blanchette in an email to CommonWealth Magazine. “In the event that any of our stores experience a temporary shortage, we will re-supply them as quickly as possible.”

 

The same goes for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) and its BinaxNOW tests, which spokesperson for the company, John Koval, says is seeing “unprecedented demand”.

 

“Today, there are tens of millions of BinaxNOW tests in various settings and supply chains,” Koval said in an email. “We’re working with our customers to ensure tests get to where they’re most needed and we’re ramping back up, as we did last year… There will be some supply constraints over the coming weeks as increased capacity comes online.”

 

The untimely surge in demand came roughly a month after the makers of the popular covid test chose to destroy inventories and laid off thousands of workers, according to the New York Times.

 

Abbott’s test can still be ordered online via CVS and Amazon, but has had supply issues for online orders at other retailers such as Walgreens and Kroger.

 

For more information, please visit: https://biotech-today.com/heres-why-you-want-biotech-stocks-in-your-portfolio/

  

Article Source: 

USA News Group

http://USAnewsgroup.com

info@usanewsgroup.com

 

DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. (“MIQ”). MIQ has been paid a fee for BioVaxys Technology Corp. advertising and digital media from the company directly. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of BioVaxys Technology Corp., and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ own shares of BioVaxys Technology Corp. which were purchased as a part of a private placement. MIQ reserves the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of BioVaxys Technology Corp. at any time thereafter without any further notice. We also expect further compensation as an ongoing digital media effort to increase visibility for the company, no further notice will be given, but let this disclaimer serve as notice that all material disseminated by MIQ has been approved by the above mentioned company; this is a paid advertisement, and we own shares of the mentioned company that we will sell, and we also reserve the right to buy shares of the company in the open market, or through further private placements and/or investment vehicles.

 

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USA News Group is Source of all content listed above.  FN Media Group, LLC (FNM), is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with USA News Group or any company mentioned herein.  The commentary, views and opinions expressed in this release by USA News Group are solely those of USA News Group and are not shared by and do not reflect in any manner the views or opinions of FNM.  FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers.  FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination and financial marketing solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security.  FNM was not compensated by any public company mentioned herein to disseminate this press release.

 

This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected,” “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

 

Media Contact Information:

FN Media Group, LLC

Media Contact e-mail:

editor@financialnewsmedia.com

U.S. Phone: +1(954)345-0611

 

SOURCE USA News Group

The post Faster, Cheaper, More Reliable COVID-19 Tests Needed for the Unprecedented Demand Ahead appeared first on Financial News Media.

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