Sterling biotech firm launches COVID-19 test

Sterling-based biotech company Aperiomics has launched a COVID-19 test available for to medical providers nationwide for $250 per sample. Aperiomics says it has the capacity to process and deliver results on 1,000 tests per week.

The company says it can turn around results from its Xplore-COVID-19 tests within 48 to 72 hours of receiving a sample. Doctors obtain samples via throat swabs and the tests utilize a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique of enhancing DNA samples to identify specific genetic markets within the coronavirus.

“Our mission is to ensure that no one suffers needlessly from an infectious disease — and that means doing our part to help in the fight against COVID-19,” said Aperiomics CEO Crystal Icenhour in a statement. “In this moment of crisis, we have an obligation to pivot our resources and expertise towards combating this pandemic. We know that testing as many people as possible is key to keeping our population healthy during the coronavirus outbreak. The Aperiomics team will maximize our lab’s capacity for this test to meet the nationwide demand for testing.”

Aperiomics partnered on the test development with Iowa-based Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), which supplied primers and probes, and California-based Zymo Research, which is providing DNA/RNA sample collection and RNA extraction reagents.

“IDT is privileged to have rapidly achieved large-scale manufacturing of key components that enable testing of millions of Americans for COVID-19 and this collaboration with Aperiomics will allow us to ensure that thousands more have access to critical testing during this challenging time,” said Trey Martin, president of IDT. “We are impressed and motivated by the spirit of cooperation and collaboration within the biotech industry as we work together to counter this global threat.”

“Zymo Research is proud to partner with Aperiomics to provide state-of-the-art sample collection and RNA extraction reagents for their COVID-19 test,” said Marc Van Eden, Zymo Research’s vice president of business development. “A unique transport medium kills the virus and preserves viral RNA at room temperature until extraction and testing can be facilitated. It is more important now than ever that we work within the biotech industry and come together for the greater good of humanity.”