Ender Diagnostics launches rapid COVID-19 test

Ender diagnostics ag, a recently incorporated Swiss diagnostics company has launched its molecular biological rapid test (ender LAB). «There are many other tests out there on the market. However, none of them combine Swiss precision with rapid results within just 30 minutes as the ender LAB test does”, explains ender’s CEO Tim Pfister.

The ender LAB test allows laboratories to directly detect SARS-CoV-2 on standard real-time PCR devices within 30 minutes after extraction of the viral RNA. This is significantly faster than commercially available PCR tests, which take several hours. ender LAB has a sensitivity of 97.3% and a specificity of 100%. The ender LAB test kit recognizes SARS-CoV-2 specific RNA sequences and enables conclusive diagnosis of COVID-19.

Hans-Peter Frank, responsible for the commercialization of the test, describes it as follows: «Laboratories no longer have to wait until enough samples are available to load a device for several hours. Laboratory managers are now able to immediately process a smaller number of samples and the devices are available again after 30 minutes. This makes laboratories much more flexible and efficient in operation. ender LAB thus significantly reduces the time to a definite result for the patient and allows doctors to react faster. »

The ender diagnostics test kits can be obtained directly from ender diagnostics. Purchase inquiries are answered at sales@enderdiagnostics.com. Ender diagnostics is also building up an international sales network.

More tests in the pipeline

The test is the first of three products based on ender’s platform for the diagnosis of acute COVID-19. The sensitivity and specificity are comparable to the gold standard of currently used laboratory tests. However, the results are obtained within only 30 minutes, making the diagnosis much faster compared to other tests. Using it with current laboratory devices allows diagnosis of up to several hundred samples simultaneously. This tremendously increases the testing capacity for acute COVID-19.

Next, ender diagnostics plans the ender MASS test to reliably screen and detect acute COVID-19 in only 30 minutes, without needing an additional extraction step. The test is planned for summer 2020. The test is designed for centralized laboratories and will significantly reduce workload and save resources. Additionally, ender is working on an on-site test for acute COVID-19. ender MOBILE will be the third product based on ender’s technology and will be available in late summer 2020.

The ender team has extensive experience in developing molecular biological rapid tests for infectious diseases. The company is supported by several private investors with know-how and financing.

(Press release / SK)

Picture: fernando zhiminaicela / Pixabay