On Apr. 6, 2020, OraSure Technologies announced it had been awarded a $710,310 contract from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Department of HHS, to develop a pan-SARS-coronavirus antigen rapid in-home self-test that uses oral fluid samples. This support from BARDA  enabled OraSure to file for FDA Emergency Use Authorization allowing for an in-home self-test to debut into the U.S. market.

Built on OraSure’s OraQuick^® platform, the rapid test would allow for in-home self-testing by lay users as well as by medical professionals. OraSure’s portable rapid test platform uses an oral fluid sample and provides results in 20 minutes.  No instrumentation or trained personnel would be needed to administer the test or to read the results.

OraSure has a well-documented history of success with in-home infectious disease testing; the Company’s oral fluid self-test for HIV has been used to diagnose millions of people around the world and connect them to life-saving care.