Abbott has made a significant breakthrough in mobile app development by introducing its BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card rapid test for detecting active coronavirus infections. This innovative test, which receives Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is designed to be highly portable, reliable, and affordable.
The BinaxNOW test delivers results in just 15 minutes with no instrumentation required, using proven lateral flow technology that demonstrates a sensitivity of 97.1% and specificity of 98.5% in clinical studies. This rapid antigen test is an essential tool for managing risk by quickly identifying infectious individuals, preventing the spread of the disease.
To further facilitate a return to daily life, Abbott will launch a complementary mobile app, NAVICA, which allows people who test negative to display a temporary digital health pass that is renewed each time they are tested through their healthcare provider. This innovative app, available at no charge for iPhone and Android devices, enables organizations to view and verify the information on a mobile device, facilitating entry into facilities while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.
"We intentionally designed the BinaxNOW test and NAVICA app so we could offer a comprehensive testing solution to help Americans feel more confident about their health and lives," said Robert B. Ford, president and chief executive officer at Abbott. "BinaxNOW and NAVICA give us an affordable, easy-to-use, scalable test, and a complementary digital health tool to help us have a bit more normalcy in our daily lives."
Abbott will ship tens of millions of tests in September, ramping up production to 50 million tests per month at the beginning of October. This massive scale will allow for widespread access to rapid and reliable testing, enabling people to quickly identify infectious individuals and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As a near-person rapid antigen test, BinaxNOW was engineered for point-of-care settings, near-patient, and not for reference labs. Patient samples should be tested immediately and should not be diluted in viral transport media.
The NAVICA mobile app will play a crucial role in facilitating return to daily activities by allowing people to display their results obtained through a healthcare provider when entering facilities requiring proof of testing. This innovative tool is optional but an easy-to-use solution that allows people to store, access, and display their results with organizations that accept the results.
Mobile App Development: A Key Component in COVID-19 Testing
Abbott's mobile app development has been instrumental in revolutionizing COVID-19 testing. The company's commitment to creating innovative solutions has enabled widespread access to rapid and reliable testing, ultimately helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19.