Partnership enables launch of COVID-19 immunity test

Luas Diagnostics has launched its enhanced test to determine immunity to COVID-19 post infection or vaccination. The upgraded offering follows the development of a smartphone app and data management software specific to the Luas product, by Bond Digital Health.

The Immunity Test, which is manufactured by Chembio Diagnostics Systems of New York, uses a fingerstick of blood for the detection, differentiation and quantification of IgM and IgG receptor binding domain antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The results are read and stored in a portable reader which provides semi-quantitative results in either laboratory or remote settings. The total time to result is 15 minutes.

The Luas Diagnostics app, which is available now in the Google Play store and the Apple App store, is powered by Transform, a lateral flow data capture platform developed by Bond Digital Health. The smartphone app provides a personalised, printable, and shareable antibody report and the associated dashboard manages testing, recording, and reporting of results in real time at single or multiple locations.

Brendan Farrell, CEO of Luas Diagnostics, said: “We are excited to work together with Bond Digital Health to provide a comprehensive Immunity Test offering with applications in many locations including the workplace, in-store testing, care homes and GP surgeries. A recent study has shown that 10-15% of people, particularly among the higher age group, may not produce antibodies even after the second dose of vaccine and thus may have limited protection against the virus. This emphasises the need for individuals to understand their immunity status through regular testing.”

Ian Smith, CEO of Bond Digital Health, added: “Antibody testing is the next tool we should be using in the fight against COVID-19. That’s why we are proud to partner with Luas on their vital Immunity Test. But testing alone isn’t enough. Whether in workplaces, care homes, GP surgeries or in the community, we need to capture the test data, store it securely and share it to make sure we have a complete picture of immunity. The Luas App, powered by Transform, does just that.”