LumiraDx, a next-generation point of care diagnostics testing company, announced that the LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag test has the capability of detecting major SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Epsilon variants. Unlike the routine RT-PCR tests, the LumiraDx test uses antibodies, not nucleic acid based-primers, to detect the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen, rather than the spike protein.

Sorrento Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has received Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) and a and product import licence from Mexico’s COFEPRIS (Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios). The firm is now setting up its Sorrento Mexico Ltd subsidiary in Mexico. It will manage the commercial operations of its COVI-STIX test and other Covid-19 related products in Mexico. The company also plans to ship the first batch of test orders in July 2021. The COVI-STIX test is a rapid, sensitive, 15-minute test that detects the SARS-CoV-2 virus nucleocapsid antigen in nasal or nasopharyngeal samples of infected patients.

Haven Testing, an at-home medical testing services provider, is making the BTNX Rapid Response Covid-19 antigen rapid tests kit available for home use in the Ontario region. The test kit has been authorised by Health Canada and can detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in just 15 minutes.