Bloodworks Northwest Now Tests All Donors for COVID-19 Antibodies Looking for More Qualified Convalescent Plasma Donors
Quotient's MosaiQ COVID-19 antibody test is now being utilized by Bloodworks Northwest to offer free testing to blood donors in the Pacific Northwest. This initiative aims to identify more qualified COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) donors. The MosaiQ test boasts 100% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity, capable of processing up to 3,000 samples daily. Bloodworks anticipates testing 26,000 donors by the end of September, responding to the rising demand for CCP, which has already seen over 1,000 units sent across the U.S.
- MosaiQ test demonstrates 100% sensitivity and 99.8% specificity, indicating high accuracy.
- Partnership with Bloodworks Northwest enhances visibility and utilization of the MosaiQ platform.
- Expected testing of 26,000 donors by September indicates significant demand for CCP.
- The MosaiQ system is not yet cleared by the FDA for sale in the U.S., which may hinder market penetration.
- Reliance on ongoing clinical demand for CCP may expose Quotient to market volatility.
- Testing Conducted Using the Highly Accurate MosaiQ COVID-19 Antibody Test from Quotient
JERSEY, Channel Islands, Aug. 27, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bloodworks Northwest is now offering all blood donors across the Pacific Northwest free COVID-19 antibody testing with the possibility of discovering more qualified COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma (CCP) Donors. The testing is done with Quotient’s highly sensitive and specific COVID-19 antibody test utilizing Quotient’s high-throughput MosaiQ™ blood testing platform. The platform can process up to 3,000 samples a day, detecting antibodies with
“We’re encouraged by early results. Testing appears to be going well,” says Mark Destree, Executive Vice President for Bloodworks Laboratories. Destree plans on running the tests on all Bloodworks Northwest donor blood samples until September 30th, with the potential to extend longer. He adds, “We anticipate testing a total of 26,000 donors by the end of September, during a time when the demand for CCP may be increasing significantly.” Bloodworks Northwest’s Medical Director Dr. Rebecca Haley says, “So far, we’ve been able to send out more than 1,000 CCP units across the state of Washington and the United States, in response to the growing demand for this plasma.” Dr. Haley adds, “We anticipated the need for CCP would ramp up sometime this fall but the increase in demand is already here.”
Besides offering free COVID-19 antibody testing, Bloodworks Northwest is also looking for more CCP donors by building up its CCP donation program by expanding to Lynnwood, Everett and Vancouver, Washington (metropolitan Portland). In order to launch this program with the greatest degree of efficiency, Bloodworks has tested the procedure with cooperation from the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Roosevelt. The antibody test detects COVID-19 antibodies in the blood of donors who have recovered from a COVID-19 infection. This is important because those antibodies have shown promise in treating those infected by COVID-19.
Quotient Cooperation
“Antibody testing– the ability to test if people have developed antibodies to COVID-19– is critical in helping communities move out of lockdown, restarting the economy and continuing to fight this pandemic as well as in identifying potential CCP donors. We are delighted to be working with Bloodworks, especially in the light of the important work they are doing,” said Franz Walt, Chief Executive Officer, Quotient.
The MosaiQ™ COVID-19 Antibody Microarray was CE marked (certified to meet EU requirements) on 01 May 2020. With a
About Quotient Limited
Building on over 30 years of experience in transfusion diagnostics, Quotient is a commercial-stage diagnostics company committed to delivering solutions that reshape the way diagnostics is practiced. MosaiQ, Quotient’s proprietary multiplex microarray technology, offers the world’s first fully automated, consolidated testing platform, allowing for multiple tests across different modalities. MosaiQ is designed to be a game-changing solution, which Quotient believes will increase efficiencies, improve clinical practice, deliver significant workflow improvements, and operational cost savings to laboratories around the world. A serological test was developed in April 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The MosaiQ COVID-19 Antibody Microarray is CE marked and available for distribution in Europe including Switzerland, and the UK. Quotient's operations are based in Eysins, Switzerland, Edinburgh, Scotland and Newtown, Pennsylvania. The Quotient logo, Quotient MosaiQ and MosaiQ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Quotient Limited or its subsidiaries in various jurisdictions
About Bloodworks Northwest
Bloodworks (formerly Puget Sound Blood Center) is backed by 75 years of Northwest history and 250,000 donors. It is local, nonprofit, independent, volunteer-supported and community-based. A recognized leader in transfusion medicine, Bloodworks serves patients in more than 100 hospitals in Washington, Oregon and Alaska — partnering closely with local hospitals to deliver the highest level of patient care. Comprehensive services include blood components, complex cross-matching, specialized lab services for organ transplants, care for patients with blood disorders, and collection of cord blood stem cells for cancer treatment. Bloodworks Research Institute performs leading-edge research in blood biology, transfusion medicine, blood storage and treatment of blood disorders. Patients with traumatic injuries, undergoing surgeries or organ transplantation, or receiving treatment for cancer and blood disorders all depend on our services, expertise, laboratories and research. Blood donation appointments can be scheduled on the Bloodworks App. For more information, visit bloodworksnw.org.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding our expectations of continued growth, the development, regulatory approval, commercialization and impact of MosaiQ and other new products (including the potential for using our MosaiQ technology to test for COVID-19 antibodies). The MosaiQ system has not yet been cleared by the FDA for sale in the United States. Such statements are based on current assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include delays or denials of regulatory approvals or clearances for products or applications; market acceptance of our products; the impact of competition; the impact of facility expansions and expanded product development, clinical, sales and marketing activities on operating expenses; delays or other unforeseen problems with respect to manufacturing, product development or field trial studies; adverse results in connection with any ongoing or future legal proceeding; continued or worsening adverse conditions in the general domestic and global economic markets, including the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak; as well as the other risks set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Quotient disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
The Quotient logo and MosaiQ™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of Quotient Limited and its subsidiaries in various jurisdictions.
Contact: Peter Buhler, Chief Financial Officer, IR@quotientbd.com; +41 22 545 52 26
FAQ
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