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  • Atomo Diagnostics (AT1) has received TGA approval for its COVID-19 rapid antigen test, which can detect infection within just 15 minutes
  • The company now has two point of care rapid tests on the therapeutic goods register which target different stages of the virus
  • Simply put, if a patient believes they are or have been, infected with the virus, they can be administered both tests and know their status within 15 minutes
  • In the case of an outbreak, this instant turnaround is important as it largely removes the need for self-isolation while people wait for results
  • Atomo has partnered with Health Solutions Group Australia to provide the professional testing services to its customers
  • On a rough day for the market, Atomo Diagnostics closed Tuesday’s session 12.9 per cent higher at 35 cents

Atomo Diagnostics (AT1) has received TGA approval for its COVID-19 rapid antigen test, which can detect infection within just 15 minutes.

TGA tick

Atomo’s rapid test is now listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), joining the company’s HIV Self-Test and the COVID-19 rapid antibody test on the register.

Atomo now has two point of care rapid tests on the market which target different stages of the virus.

The new antigen test is designed to detect people currently infected with the virus — typically within 15 days of contracting the infection.

The other can detect antibodies created by the immune system which indicate a past infection and is most accurate around 15 days from exposure.

Simply put, if a patient believes they are or have been, infected with the virus, they can be administered both tests and know their status within 15 minutes.

Perhaps most importantly, the new antigen rapid test is processed at the point of care and results are available after 10 minutes, rather than needing to be sent off to a lab for processing.

In the case of an outbreak, this instant turnaround is important as it largely removes the need for self-isolation while people wait for results, and allows for a patient to receive immediate treatment.

Atomo Diagnostics co-founder and Managing Director John Kelly says the company’s two tests in combination can provide a valuable tool in the fight against outbreaks.

“Atomo can now offer, in a single 15-minute window, rapid testing for both COVID-19 antigen and antibody responses,” John said.

“Antigen tests have been proven to provide good detection of COVID-19 infection in the early stages of exposure, [which] makes them useful both for people showing onset of symptoms or for broad scale screening of at-risk communities and frontline workers,” he continued.

“Furthermore, Atomo believes that when combined with our rapid antibody test that detects virus exposure over a longer period, they should offer excellent performance where reliable testing is most convenient and needed – outside of the laboratory,” he concluded.

The next steps

Atomo has partnered with Health Solutions Group Australia — a leading provider of professional healthcare workers in Australia — to provide professional testing services to Atomo customers.

A team of registered nurses and specialist healthcare professionals can visit workplaces via customised pop-up style clinics.

Health Solutions’ market footprint makes it an ideal partner to support the launch and delivery of Atomo’s tests to both corporate and aged care clients.

The Atomo CEO says the partnership will provide the company prime access to the market.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Health Solutions for the provision of COVID-19 screening services to our clients,” John said.

“Having a large national service provider with experience in professional testing to help roll out this service is very important,” he concluded.

On a rough day for the market, Atomo Diagnostics closed Tuesday’s session 12.9 per cent higher at 35 cents.

AT1 by the numbers
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