Healthcare firm with site in Sussex creates ‘highly reliable’ coronavirus antibody test

The test produced by Roche, which has a site in Burgess Hill, has received FDA Emergency Use Authorization and is available in global markets accepting the CE mark, including the UK, according to a company spokesman.

The firm said the test has an accuracy rate of 100 per cent in proving a positive antibody test result 14 days after a positive coronavirus test result - known as the ‘sensitivity’ - showing someone has been infected and developed antibodies.

It has an accuracy of more than 99.8 per cent in identifying a negative result - known as the ‘specificity’ - showing someone has not had the virus.

A spokesman for Roche said: “The high specificity of the test is crucial to determine reliably if a person has been exposed to the virus and if the patient has developed antibodies.

“Roche will provide high double-digit millions of tests already in May for countries accepting the CE mark and in the U.S. under Emergency Use Authorization, further ramping up capacities thereafter.”

Severin Schwan, CEO of Roche Group, said: “Thanks to the enormous efforts of our dedicated colleagues we are now able to deliver a high-quality antibody test in high quantities, so we can support healthcare systems around the world with an important tool to better manage the COVID-19 health crisis.

“I am in particular pleased about the high specificity and sensitivity of our test, which is crucial to support health care systems around the world with a reliable tool to better manage the COVID-19 health crisis.”

The company spokesman added that the test will help assess patients’ immune response to the virus and may help in assessing who has built up immunity to the virus.

Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche Diagnostics, said the test is ‘highly reliable’.

He added: “Roche is committed to helping laboratories deliver fast, accurate, and reliable results to healthcare professionals and their patients.”

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