The co-branded kits are commercialised as over-the-counter products through all Rite Aid stores across 17 states in the US
Eurofins rolls out its at-home Covid-19 PCR test in US. (Credit: PIRO4D from Pixabay.)
Eurofins, through its subsidiary empowerDX, has teamed up with Rite Aid to launch its FDA-authorised, at-home Covid-19 PCR test kit in the US.
The co-branded kits are being commercialised as over-the-counter products through all Rite Aid stores across 17 states in the US.
Designed to detect the virus in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, the Covid-19 PCR test kits would enable users to conveniently test for the virus from their home, said Eurofins.
Eurofins CEO Gilles Martin said: “We are excited to partner with Rite Aid and launch this at-home COVID-19 testing kit, making access to test kits widely available to people across the US through Rite Aid’s national network.
“Increasing population testing rates is an important step in fighting the pandemic, and its new more infectious variants, and building the confidence needed to accelerate a return to everyday life.”
The company said that its at-home Covid-19 nasal PCR kit is one of the first over-the-counter at-home Covid-19 test kits to receive US FDA Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA).
Developed by Eurofins Viracor, the company’s infectious disease testing unit, the test is based on its FDA EUA authorised SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay.
According to the FDA SARS-CoV-2 Reference Panel Comparative Data of 117 laboratories, the assay offers superior sensitivity rates, as of December 2020.
The company noted that its home-collection kit has not been approved by the FDA, but was authorised under a EUA for only home collection and maintenance of nasal swab specimens to detect SARS-CoV-2.
empowerDX specialises in the online sale of FDA-authorised Covid-19 testing, women’s health, men’s health, sexual health and general wellness testing.
In May this year, empowerDX has received the FDA EUA for its at-home Covid-19 testing kit for use in children aged three years and above.