BiologyWorks COVID-19 Test Achieves 99.1 Percent Accuracy in Study

Los Angeles, Calif.-based startup BiologyWorks said its handheld, reusable molecular-testing device for COVID-19 matched the 99.1 percent accuracy seen in polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) tests in a clinical trial.

The independent study in Athens, Greece, included 330 patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19. Two anterior nasal swabs were taken from each patient. One was tested using the laboratory’s standard PCR test and the other using the BiologyWorks k(now) device.

The molecular test has multiple possible applications, including identifying infections, such as influenza A/B, hepatitis B, Streptococcus, sexually transmitted diseases, pneumonia and even cancers, the company said.