BERLIN: Biotech firm GNA Biosolutions said on Tuesday it has received emergency use approval from German’s health authority for its quick Covid-19 test that it says is as reliable as widely-used PCR tests but delivers results almost as quickly as an antigen one.
GNA Biosolutions said its test is based on a new class of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, which has become the global standard of reliable testing.
Its so-called pulse controlled amplification (PCA) technology had proved to deliver 96.7% accurate results.
The new test has already had test runs at Munich Airport.
The German health authority was checking the test results in a pilot study which should be completed in February, chief executive Federico Buersgens said at a news conference.
Unlike the widely-used PCR tests, which have to be analysed in laboratories and usually take about a day before results are delivered, GNA Biosolutions’ test comes with a portable analyser and provides results for up to eight tests within 45 minutes, the company said.
“Our technology provides a unique, simple, and effective way to enable rapid molecular testing in decentralised laboratories,” said Buersgens.
He aims for an EU-wide approval of the test by March.
The company said it has secured manufacturing partners and enough supplies to be able to produce more than 500,000 tests.