DNA-based test kits developed by Ottawa-based Spartan Bioscience Inc. have been used in heart
patient studies at the Mayo Clinicâs hospital network and by the New York City Department of
Health. The portable kit now has received Health Canada approval for COVID-19 testing â this at a
time when hospitals are under enormous pressure to meet increased testing demand.
Spartan Bioscience uses the same genetic sequencing already validated by the CDC based on 100%
accuracy ratings across more than 2,000 clinical respiratory specimens. The Spartan Cubeâs
optical system detects increased fluorescence as algorithms automatically generate a test result
that then is ght around the upper rim of the cube.
This makes it easy for nonmedical staff, such as building managers and security personnel, to
test for COVID-19