A Richmond company's new COVID-19 rapid self-test was authorized by Health Canada this week, on Aug. 9.
SwiftSwab was developed by Gene Bio Medical's Richmond laboratories. Gene Bio Medical, also known as Gene Biotechnology Enterprises, is a "one-stop comprehensive in vitro diagnostic biomedical manufacturing technology company," according to its website.
According to Gene Bio Medical, it is "one of the two Canadian OTC (Over the Counter) brands" developed and approved in Canada to be sold in stores.
"Clinical studies have shown that SwiftSwab can detect Omicron and Delta variants in only 15 minutes," reads Gene Bio Medical's media release.
Information on Health Canada's list of authorized testing devices states SwiftSwab tests have a shelf life of 18 months.
