Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ, is working with Quest Diagnostics, Secaucus, NJ, to expand covid-19 antibody testing to more than 20 Quest laboratories across the United States.
Quest will use Ortho’s Vitros Immunodiagnostic Products Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG test to analyze patient specimens for detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Ortho’s test has been granted FDA emergency use authorization, and can be used as an aid in identifying patients with an immune response, indicating recent or prior infection.
Mike Iskra, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics.
The test may also provide helpful information regarding decisions for getting people back to work. Individuals may have the virus for weeks after developing antibodies. The test offers 100% specificity, which helps prevent false positives.
“Together with Quest, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics is pleased to make available a high-quality, large-scale covid-19 testing solution to quickly reach millions of Americans,” says Michael S. Iskra, president of North America commercial operations for Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. “100% specificity highlights the accuracy of Ortho’s antibody test. In this widespread health crisis, Ortho strongly believes that every test is a life, and is proud to join with Quest in the fight against coronavirus.”
Jay G. Wohlgemuth, MD, Quest Diagnostics.
“Antibody testing can play an important role in helping individuals understand whether they’ve been exposed to the virus that causes covid-19 and may have mounted an immune response,” says Jay G. Wohlgemuth, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Quest Diagnostics. “Through our relationship with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, we are broadening the range of high-quality covid-19 antibody test platforms we use in our laboratories to serve growing demand.”
Quest offers two ways to access covid-19 antibody testing. Healthcare providers can order testing on behalf of their patients, or individuals can initiate physician-directed testing online, without visiting a doctor’s office.
For more information, visit Ortho Clinical Diagnostics and Quest Diagnostics.
