Birmingham Biotech passes phase 3a for lateral flow test

Birmingham Biotech, an innovator in diagnostic tests, protective nasal sprays and mobile medical facilities, has seen its new lateral flow test pass phase 3a testing by the UK government.

The BHM COVID-19 Sealing Tube Test Strip is a lateral flow test kit for detecting COVID-19 infection in humans. It has a patented design that seals the sample into a tube before testing, reducing the risk of contamination. Stringent phase 3a testing by the UK government concluded that the test is both specific and sensitive enough to be suitable for mass population, community-based testing. Out of the 160 lateral flow devices that were evaluated in phase 3a testing, approximately 30% passed the assessment.

The BHM COVID-19 Sealing Tube Test Strip produces approximately 75% less plastic waste than other kits. Standard test kits require both a cassette and a tube and contain approximately 10g of plastic per test. The BHM test combines sampling and testing into one tube, removing the need for a cassette, and contains 2.5g of plastic.

The test also has a longer time frame for reading results. Many existing lateral flow tests require the results to be read within a short window of 15-30 minutes. After this time, the results can be disrupted by backflow of liquid which can lead to false positive results. The BHM test kits have been designed to produce a long-lasting result that remains stable for several days. The tests are also compatible with digital results readers, which can provide more accurate interpretation of results, especially when the test displays a faint line.

The test kits are easy to use and produce rapid results, meaning they are ideal for daily testing for work, school, or social gatherings, as well as for travel. The test simply requires users to take a swab from inside the nasal passage or a saliva sample from under the tongue.

Michael Hsu, managing director at Birmingham Biotech, said: “Regular testing is a crucial way to protect ourselves and our communities against the spread of COVID-19 infection. However, lateral flow test kits produce a lot of plastic waste. By reducing the amount of plastic in each test by 75%, we have developed an accurate, safe and more environmentally friendly option for self-testing.”