BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) said March 30 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for a new, rapid antigen test that can detect SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and influenza B in a single test.
The Franklin Lakes-based medical technology company plans to launch the new test this summer for the 2021-2022 flu season. The test is intended for individuals who are suspected by a health care provider of having COVID-19, influenza A or influenza B within six days of symptom onset.
BD says its Veritor System takes about 15 minutes to run and distinguishes between SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and influenza B, by providing definitive positive or negative individual digital display readouts for all three.
“Given that symptoms for COVID-19 and the flu are very similar, having the ability to run a rapid combination test to distinguish between these viral infections may help save time and resources,” said Dave Hickey, president of Life Sciences for BD. “BD will continue to offer both individual tests for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A+B, as well as the new combination tests, to give health care providers the option to run the test that is most appropriate for their patients.”
