Test Breakthrough - Health Canada approves Spartan Bioscience's portable COVID-19 test

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A Canadian company says it has received approval from Health Canada for a rapid portable test to detect the novel coronavirus.



(test takes 1/2 hour - and all testing proved 100 % correct)



https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/ottawamatters/images/health/2020-04-13-dr.-paul-lem.jpg;w=960">



Based in Ottawa, Spartan Bioscience said in a news release Sunday that federal government approval means its tests can now start heading out the door to "federal and provincial government partners starting immediately."



"We are ready to start shipping our portable COVID-19 test to the federal and provincial governments, and to make them widely available to Canadians," said CEO Paul Lem in the statement.



He said the government worked closely with the company in order to "expedite the review and approval process."



"There is an urgent unmet need for rapid COVID-19 testing, and as a proudly Canadian company, we are excited that our technology will be an important part of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada,"



The rapid test uses a coffee-cup-sized portable DNA analyzer — the Spartan Cube — as well as test cartridges and swabs. The company said this allows the test to be carried out by "non-laboratory personnel" in places like airports or pharmacies, or remote regions of the country.

[cc]

It will be good for remote areas, but also for companies that want to get back to work  .. or local test areas for the general public etc.



I think they said about 1 million can be made by summer



Not certain on that as there are 2 elements here - The main box and separate "test kits" that are analysed within the box (and I think are one time only)



This was approved on weekend, so more details will come quickly

[Anonymous]

It will be good for remote areas, but also for companies that want to get back to work  .. or local test areas for the general public etc.



I think they said about 1 million can be made by summer



Not certain on that as there are 2 elements here - The main box and separate "test kits" that are analysed within the box (and I think are one time only)



This was approved on weekend, so more details will come quickly

By summer??



This lockdown could go on a while.

[cc]

They are being sold now, today. Production is being ramped up

[cc]

also heard company secured loans yesterday to greatly increase production

[Anonymous]

It will be good for remote areas, but also for companies that want to get back to work  .. or local test areas for the general public etc.



I think they said about 1 million can be made by summer



Not certain on that as there are 2 elements here - The main box and separate "test kits" that are analysed within the box (and I think are one time only)



This was approved on weekend, so more details will come quickly

By summer??



This lockdown could go on a while.

Ontario's lockdown will last until mid May. We shall see at that time if Ford will reopen parts of the economy.

[Anonymous]

As we now know, many provinces have been short on much needed personal protective equipment.  These are the masks, gloves, and shields that frontline workers need to safely do their jobs.



So what has the federal government's response been? Media have reported that Canada is building a 'made-for-Canada' supply chain for personal protective equipment in China with Chinese manufacturers!  



We have companies across the country retooling to produce a reliable supply here at home with jobs for Canadians, but Justin Trudeau is relying on China yet again.

[Anonymous]

While this test was not rigorous and the results not peer reviewed it is disappointing.



Hydroxychloroquine as treatment for COVID-19 shows no benefit and more deaths in VA study

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hydroxychloroquine-treatment-for-covid-19-shows-no-benefit-and-more-deaths-in-va-study-2020-04-21">https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hydro ... 2020-04-21">https://www.marketwatch.com/story/hydroxychloroquine-treatment-for-covid-19-shows-no-benefit-and-more-deaths-in-va-study-2020-04-21



There is still hope for Remdesivir and even hydroxychloroquine itself with zip packs.

[Anonymous]

These experimental drugs may help keep COVID-19 patients off ventilators

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/drugmakers-want-to-know-if-their-therapies-can-keep-covid-19-patients-off-ventilators-2020-04-17">https://www.marketwatch.com/story/drugm ... 2020-04-17">https://www.marketwatch.com/story/drugmakers-want-to-know-if-their-therapies-can-keep-covid-19-patients-off-ventilators-2020-04-17

[Anonymous]

I don't care what the drug is, but we need to find something that treats symptoms for most people soon. Stop the bureaucracy and politics.

[Anonymous]

This is disappointing.



Rapid test for COVID-19 recalled after Health Canada expresses concerns



OTTAWA -- An Ottawa biotech company is voluntarily recalling a rapid test for COVID-19 after Health Canada expressed concern about its effectiveness, dealing a setback to expanded testing in the country.



Spartan Bioscience said Sunday that the concerns centre around the proprietary swab used in the test, but that the Health Canada report out Friday did not raise concerns about the accuracy of the test reagents and portable analyzer device.



The company said it would recall the 5,500 test shipped nationally and work on additional clinical studies to assess the sampling method and swab.



"Spartan will be working as quickly as possible to address the concerns and bring its test to market," the company said in a statement.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/rapid-test-for-covid-19-recalled-after-health-canada-expresses-concerns-1.4922786">https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavir ... -1.4922786">https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/rapid-test-for-covid-19-recalled-after-health-canada-expresses-concerns-1.4922786

[Anonymous]

This is disappointing.



Rapid test for COVID-19 recalled after Health Canada expresses concerns



OTTAWA -- An Ottawa biotech company is voluntarily recalling a rapid test for COVID-19 after Health Canada expressed concern about its effectiveness, dealing a setback to expanded testing in the country.



Spartan Bioscience said Sunday that the concerns centre around the proprietary swab used in the test, but that the Health Canada report out Friday did not raise concerns about the accuracy of the test reagents and portable analyzer device.



The company said it would recall the 5,500 test shipped nationally and work on additional clinical studies to assess the sampling method and swab.



"Spartan will be working as quickly as possible to address the concerns and bring its test to market," the company said in a statement.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/rapid-test-for-covid-19-recalled-after-health-canada-expresses-concerns-1.4922786">https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavir ... -1.4922786">https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/rapid-test-for-covid-19-recalled-after-health-canada-expresses-concerns-1.4922786

That is a setback. Rapid testing was going to get the economy opened up more.