Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) is doing what he can to help a company that has developed an exciting new antibody test that is fast, disposable and can simultaneously detect whether someone has COVID-19 and whether someone had the virus in the past.
The test promises to be safe, simple to use by, quick to give results, and easy to manufacture; all qualities necessary for widespread use.
“It’s this type of testing that will allow us to reopen our economy in a safe manner and put an end to this pandemic,” advised Aderholt.
The company that Aderholt worked with is Webb Diagnostic Technologies. Webb Diagnostic Technologies is based in Nashville and has assets in Alabama.
Aderholt said he helped the company “make connections within Alabama” that helped scientists during the development process.
Webb began developing the test in response to the White House Cornonavirus Task Force request for a finger prick test that can detect whether someone has ever had the coronavirus.
Webb hopes their product “will pave the way for people to return to work and restart the U.S. economy.”
The test is disposable, requires no lab equipment, and only requires only a finger prick of blood.
Being small and disposable, the test is more suited to mass production than many others on the market.
The Webb test takes three minutes from when the blood is drawn until results are given.
“The utility of a test like this cannot be overstated. For hospitals and public health providers to be able to sort out who among their health care workers has the antibodies is a game changer,” said William Schaffner, M.D., professor of Preventive Medicine and Health Policy in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in a statement provided by the company.
“[A]n important part of getting us back to normal is widespread, fast, reliable antibody testing,” said Aderholt in a statement.
The next step for the test is receiving Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA, which would pave the way for rapid widespread deployment.
Aderholt said he is in communication with FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn so the promising nature of the product would be recognized by the agency.
Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: [email protected] or on Twitter @HenryThornton95
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