FDA has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to Rutgers University’s RUCDR Infinite Biologics, Piscataway, NJ, and its collaborators for a new collection approach that utilizes saliva as the primary test biomaterial for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the first such authorization granted by the federal agency.

Developed in partnership with Spectrum Solutions and Accurate Diagnostic Labs, RUCDR’s saliva collection method will allow for broader population screening for covid-19 than the current method of nose and throat swabs.

“The impact of this authorization is significant,” says Andrew Brooks, PhD, professor of genetics at Rutgers University, and chief operating officer and director of technology development at RUCDR. “It means we no longer have to put healthcare professionals at risk for infection by performing nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal collections. We can preserve precious personal protective equipment for use in patient care instead of testing. We can significantly increase the number of people tested each and every day as self-collection of saliva is more quick and scalable than swab collections. All of this combined will have a tremendous impact on testing in New Jersey and across the United States.”

The tests are available to the RWJ Barnabas Health network, which has partnered with Rutgers University. In partnership with the Middlesex County government and RWJ Barnabas Health, Rutgers is making the test available to county residents at a drive-thru testing facility in Edison, NJ.

For more information, visit RUCDR Infinite Biologics.

Featured image: Andrew Brooks, PhD, professor of genetics at Rutgers University and chief operating officer and director of technology development at RUCDR Infinite Biologics. Photo courtesy Rutgers University.