Lucira's at Home Molecular Tests Can Detect Omicron (B.1.1.529) SARS CoV-2 Variant of Concern
November 29 2021 - 7:00AM
Lucira Health, Inc. ("Lucira Health," "Lucira" or the "Company")
(Nasdaq: LHDX), a medical technology company focused on the
development and commercialization of transformative and innovative
infectious disease test kits, announced that its Lucira Check-It
(OTC) and All-In-One (Rx) Test Kits can detect Omicron (B.1.1.529),
a SARS CoV-2 Variant of Concern.
Lucira Health performs ongoing surveillance of emerging
SARS-CoV-2 strains by assessing reactivity against sequence
databases. Lucira's evaluation of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529)
demonstrated that Lucira's COVID-19 assay can detect 100% of genome
sequences of this variant available in the GISAID database as of
November 26, 2021. This confirmation is consistent with previously
identified variants including Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma, and other
sequences that the Company has assessed.
"While there is still a lot to learn about the Omicron variant,
the ability to detect circulating strains is fundamental to help
slow the virus spread," said Debkishore Mitra, Ph.D., Chief
Technology Officer and co-founder of Lucira Health. "This is why
our team is relentlessly assessing newly available genetic
sequences against our test."
Dr. Mitra continued, "We selected our assay targets to maximize
accuracy and to help ensure the assay would hold up in the face of
mutations in the spike protein and other fast-evolving genomic
regions. We're proud to share it's done exactly that to date, with
reactivity to 99.9% of known COVID-19 virus strains."
"At Lucira, we believe you shouldn't have to choose between
rapid antigen tests that can't reliably detect infection before
symptoms and lab-based PCR tests that can be difficult to access
and take days to deliver results," added Erik Engelson, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Lucira Health. "We believe our
tests' unique ability to deliver PCR-quality results in less than
30 minutes at home make it the test of choice to enable travel,
return-to-work, and gathering with family and friends for
individuals and companies around the world."
Accurate, easy to use
The LUCIRA™ CHECK IT COVID-19 test kit is designed to deliver
PCR quality molecular accuracy in 30 minutes or less at home. Each
single-use test kit contains everything needed to conduct one
COVID-19 test. It was designed and tested extensively for
individuals to use independently and does not require a physician's
prescription or supervised assistance. There is no additional
equipment such as a reader or instrument to purchase.
In clinical trials, 100% of users successfully performed the
test at home in about two minutes using Lucira's easy-to-use 'swab,
stir and detect' CHECK IT test kit.
Molecular tests are more sensitive than antigen tests because
they amplify critical parts of the viral target. The targeted,
molecular amplification that LUCIRA™ CHECK IT and PCR tests employ
makes them demonstrably more reliable than "rapid" antigen tests,
which can miss active COVID-19 infections.
In a Community Trial setting, LUCIRA™ CHECK IT results were
compared with the Hologic Panther Fusion, considered a
high-sensitivity molecular test due to its low Limit of Detection
("LOD"). Lucira's accuracy was 98%, detecting 385 out of 394
positive and negative samples correctly when compared to the
Hologic Panther Fusion, and excluding ten samples with very low
levels of virus (those with very high PCR cycle thresholds of 37.5
or greater) that possibly no longer represented active infection.
Comparative positive results agreed 97% of the time among this
sample, and negative results agreed 98% of the time..
LUCIRA™ CHECK IT Test Kit
The LUCIRA™ CHECK IT test kit fits in the palm of a hand,
extracts genetic material from the virus and amplifies it similar
to PCR lab tests. Each Lucira test kit contains everything needed
to run one COVID-19 test. Users get the test device, two AA
batteries, sample vial, swab and simple one-page instructions. The
batteries are inserted into the device and the sample vial is
placed in the test unit. The user then opens the test swab packet
and rotates the swab in each nostril five times. The swab is then
stirred in the sample vial, which is then gently pressed into the
test unit to start the test. The "ready" light will blink until a
"positive" or "negative" green light is illuminated within 30
minutes. Lucira also offers a free LUCI PASSTM digital verified
test result back to a user's phone. LUCI is accessed via text and
does not require downloading an app. There is also an opt-in for
public health reporting for users who wish to transmit their
results to the relevant public health authorities.
Lucira's identical, prescription product is also available for
sale to healthcare providers
at lucirahealth.com
About Lucira Health
Lucira is a medical technology company focused on the
development and commercialization of transformative and innovative
infectious disease test kits. Lucira's testing platform produces
lab quality molecular testing in a single-use, consumer-friendly,
palm-size test kit powered by two AA batteries. Lucira designed its
test kits to provide accurate, reliable, and on-the-spot molecular
test results anywhere and at any time. The LUCIRA™ CHECK IT
COVID-19 Test Kit (OTC) and LUCIRA™ COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit
(Rx) are designed to provide a clinically relevant COVID-19 result
within 30 minutes from sample collection. For more information,
visit www.lucirahealth.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release regarding matters
that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. Because such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such
as "can," "plans," "will," "may," "anticipates," "expects,"
"potential," and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are
based upon Lucira's current expectations and involve assumptions
that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. Actual
results could differ materially from those anticipated in such
forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and
uncertainties, including our ability to increase production,
streamline operations and increase product availability; the
success of our test platform with COVID-19 including its variants,
the impact to our business of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; our
ability to successfully continue to expand internationally; any
impact on our ability to market our products; demand for our
products due to deferral of procedures using our products or
disruption in our supply chain; our ability to achieve or sustain
profitability; our ability to gain market acceptance for our
products and to accurately forecast and meet customer demand; our
ability to compete successfully; our ability to enhance our product
offerings; development and manufacturing problems; capacity
constraints or delays in production of our products; maintenance of
coverage and adequate reimbursement for procedures using our
products; and product defects or failures. These and other risks
and uncertainties are described more fully in the "Risk Factors"
section and elsewhere in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, including in our
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this
announcement speak only as of the date of this press release, and
Lucira assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise
after the date of this press release, except as required under
applicable law.
Investor ContactGreg
ChodaczekInvestorrelations@lucirahealth.com347-620-7010
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