Absology to export test kits detecting antibody formed by Covid-19 shots

Absology said Tuesday that its test kit Absol Covid-19 NAb for detecting antibodies against Covid-19 in serum specimens received regulatory approval to export the product on Wednesday.

A researcher at Absology uses the company’s diagnostic device to detect antibodies from collected samples.

Absol Covid-19 NAb can identify neutralizing antibodies formed in people after receiving the shots within five minutes on-site. It can be supplied globally regardless of the vaccination progress in each country, the company said.

Absology added that Absol Covid-19 NAb could be used in small and medium-sized hospitals and diagnostic testing facilities, while the existing standard test method, known as plaque reduction neutralization antibody (PRNT), requires a biosafety level (BSL)-3 laboratory.

“Absol Covid-19 NAb showed a 96.7 percent sensitivity and a 100 percent specificity in clinical trials conducted at Kangwon National University Hospital, making it possible to confirm whether subjects have formed neutralizing antibodies quickly and accurately regardless of the type of vaccine they received,” an Absology official said.

According to the company, Covid-19 antibody diagnostic kits can be classified into two types -- detecting antibodies after infection or vaccination. Existing test kits have been widely used to confirm a history of infection as it detects all kind of binding antibodies in people who received the vaccine or not. However, the company said its serological assay could pick up and display only vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies.

“Neutralizing antibodies gradually disappear even after receiving the vaccine, so it is important to check periodically for the presence of neutralizing antibodies and take additional shots at an appropriate time to reform the antibodies,” Absology CEO Jo Han-sang said. “We believe our products to be used widely in government offices and airport screening centers to inspect conveniently, quickly, and accurately on-site.”