BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem-based OraSure Technologies received a more than $600,000 federal contract to develop a rapid COVID-19 antibody test.
CEO Stephen Tang says the tests will use the company's oral fluid technology and will help people determine whether they are still susceptible to coronavirus.
“So this will be a breakthrough because it will use oral fluids for the sample type. Most antibody tests today use blood as a sample and so what we're envisioning is that our antibody test, which will be a lab based test, will enable people to self collect, once it receives the approval, and then send their specimen into the lab for testing,” said Tang.
Tang adds this is seperate from the in-home, self-test antigen test that received similar funding in April.
The company hopes to roll out the rapid antibody test in July, with an FDA emergency use authorization.
The antigen test is expected to follow in September.
