Abbott’s ID NOW 2.0 point-of-care diagnostic testing platform has received 510K clearance and CLIA waiver from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 

The ID NOW COVID-19 2.0 assay is a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) that isothermally uses nicking enzyme amplification reaction (NEAR) technology. Thus, the ID NOW COVID-19 2.0 assay provides molecular results in a fraction of the time needed by traditional molecular lab tests, according to Abbott.

The ID NOW 2.0 replaces ID NOW 1.0; the instrument is the same, and the software upgrade will allow customers to start utilizing 2.0 assays with sequential workflow once available. 

Further reading: Abbott’s ID NOW COVID-19 Test Helps Healthcare Works Stop Sacrificing Accuracy For Speed

The Updated Tests Offerings

This updated test comprises of a software upgrade as well as additional assay testing and includes the following enhancements:  

  • ID NOW 2.0 now supports sequential workflow with a COVID + Flu combo test.
    • Due to the flexibility of ID NOW, operators now have the autonomy to run the COVID-19 test first and can then run a flu test on the same sample if wanted.
  • Operators can now test for both COVID and Flu on a single patient sample.
  • Faster time to result for negative results.
    • Sequentially test COVID-19 and Influenza A & B, within 22 minutes due to utilization of same patient sample
    • COVID-19 2.0: as little as 6 minutes for positive and 12 minutes for negatives
    • Influenza A & B 2: as little as 5 minutes for positives and 13 minutes for negatives

Photo: ID NOW 2.0