Abbott has announced the receipt of a CE mark for its lab-based Covid-19 antibody test, thousands of which have already started shipping across Europe.
The SARS-CoV-2 IgG test identifies Covid-19 IgG antibody, a protein the body produces in the late stages of infection, and which can linger for months or even years after recovery. The test was able to demonstrate both sensitivity and specificity of over 99% 14 days or more after symptoms start during initial testing.
The test will initially run on Abbott’s Architect i1000SR and i2000SE lab instruments and will expand to the Alinity i system.
Abbott plans to expand its Covid-19 antibody testing to IgM antibodies in the near future.
Abbott Northern Europe managing director of diagnostics Mike Clayton said: “We are proud to be able to provide our antibody tests immediately as they will help understand who has had the virus, leading to greater confidence as we get back to living life. We are collaborating with the NHS, public health bodies and private laboratories across the UK to enable this test to be used here.
