Duke University part of partnership for one-hour COVID-19 antibody test

Duke University medical students in Singapore are working to create an COVID-19 antibody test that gives results the same day. The research is being done at Duke-NUS Medical School, which is a partnership between Duke and the National University of Singapore (NUS) and a medical school distinct from the two parent universities.

The test, developed over the last few months, could be available in the United States in the next couple of weeks.

“It measures COVID-19 antibodies in patients just from a drop of blood, but it doesn’t require the live virus,” said Dr. Patrick Casey, of Duke-NUS.

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The test can determine whether someone has the antibodies which can neutralize the coronavirus. While there are many tests, what makes this one unique is how quickly a patient can get results.

The test is already widely used in Singapore. It was approved in the European Union and researchers hope to get FDA approval in the next couple of weeks to bring the test to the U.S.

“You’re always thinking about better, faster, cheaper,"Casey said. "We feel it meets all three, and we feel this will be a major test that’s used."

Starting with a blood or serum sample from a patient, the test can scan blood for viruses, infections and even some kinds of cancer. While the test would normally be administered in a hospital setting, Casey can imagine other applications. “(To) screen a work force, do contact tracings, trying to understand who’s been infected, how broad-based the infection is in your community. (There are) just many ways you can use this test,” he said.

It’s still unknown whether the presence of COVID-19 antibodies guarantees immunity from future infection.

“Clearly it will confer some level of protection. What kind and for how long? We don’t know yet,” Casey said.

Casey said the test could possibly be available worldwide in four weeks.