MyBio launches highly accurate COVID-19 antibody test

KILKENNY, June 2, 2020 – Kilkenny based life sciences company MyBio has signed an exclusive distribution agreement in Ireland with German manufacturer MöLab GmbH for its highly accurate COVID-19 antibody diagnostic test kit. 

The potentially game-changing test kit provides nearly perfect diagnostic specificity (99.5% IgG, and 99.2% IgM) – a measurement of how likely the test will tell you whether the antibodies are in your system. This makes it the most accurate antibody test of its kind available in Ireland.

MyBio believe the test can play a crucial role as the lockdown eases and more people return to work. “We anticipate strong demand for this kit from corporations, businesses, professional laboratories, and other life science companies and institutes across the country”, said Dan Dilks, the company’s head of sales and business development. “If offered by their employer, this test kit will provide an important and simple pre-screening service for employees in Ireland, which will prove an invaluable tool in the fight against COVID-19 in the coming months as people return to work and desire to know if they have been exposed”.

Currently available for professional use, the test kit provides a quick, on-the-spot result in 10 minutes. It’s easy to use, needing only a finger-prick sample much like a blood glucose test. The test can also be run with serum or plasma samples.

Unlike the test to determine if somebody is currently carrying the virus, antibody testing determines if a person has had the infection in the past. This is done by detecting the presence of antibodies produced by the immune system against COVID-19.

A recent study in Heinsberg, Germany has suggested that the coronavirus infection rate could be much higher than initially thought. The research showed that close to a quarter of those tested were asymptomatic – showing no signs of having caught the virus. MyBio’s test kit will help diagnose such cases, on-site and quickly.

Commenting on the announcement, Linda Nolan, chief executive said: “We’re delighted to partner with MöLab in providing an antibody test kit with the highest specificity and sensitivity to the market here”.

Companies and Institutions are looking for ways to reopen while taking every step to reduce the risk of coronavirus exposure. Ensuring employees feel safe returning to work is crucial in this process and this kit, which is affordable and easy to use, is another weapon in the fight against COVID-19.”

As a result of the new partnership, MyBio Ltd will provide marketing, sales, customer service and technical support for the sale of MöLab`s Covid-19 antibody diagnostic kit. The kit is currently being sold in the UK and across the EU.