University Of Denver Scientists Develop Breakthrough COVID-19 Antibody Test

9NEWS reports that scientists at the Univerity of Denver's Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging have developed a new highly sensitive antibody test for COVID-19.

The test, which was developed in collaboration with two other research entities, is reportedly so accurate that it can predict if a patient will experience "mild" or more "severe" COVID-19 symptoms.

The test has received an Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA, according to 9NEWS.

"Most serology tests that have been approved by the FDA so far test for only one or two viral antigens, whereas this test will test for 12 different viral antigens," said Dr. Daniel Linseman, associate director of the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging.

Because of how much information the test provides, doctors can get a head start on treatment for new patients.

Linseman said the test can be done quickly and will eliminate false positives and false negatives that occasionally appear in other tests.

"They can take a blood sample, you know, an actual tube of blood, and they can look at it," said Linseman. "Or they can do what's called a 'dry blood spot test' where you basically prick your finger and you put your blood essentially on a piece of paper, and you can send that through your doctor to this company Vibrant and they will run the test."

The cost of the test has not yet been determined. It is expected to be in demand due to its ability to detect people who might asymptomatic.

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