Tackling Covid-19 testing with MicroGEM

Southampton Science Park resident MicroGEM has been awarded over $40m to expedite the launch of its molecular diagnostic test. The funding was awarded in the United States by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH), Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADxSM) initiative, which seeks to significantly increase the number, type, and availability of tests by millions per week.

MicroGEM’s COVID-19 saliva test provides laboratory-quality results in 15 minutes, allowing non-medical personnel to obtain rapid, on-site detection without a laboratory. The system detects SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, simultaneously with influenza types A and B. Based on patented enzymatic RNA extraction technology, the system is a simple approach to quickly detecting and managing infectious disease.

“We are pleased to be working with the NIH to accelerate the launch of this new platform to detect COVID-19,” said MicroGEM CEO, Jeff Chapman. “This funding enables us to leverage the technologies currently in our pipeline, pivoting to address the urgency of this pandemic for a safe and expedient way to expand the availability of COVID-19 testing to those who need it.”

The Southampton Science Park based company now also has offices in the USA, China and New Zealand and a further global network of distributors.