Intended for use by nonhealth professionals, the nasal swab test is designed to indicate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein in approximately 20 minutes, according to the vendor. Mologic said it will now accelerate development and clinical validation of the COVID-19 self-test. It has also received guidance on how to achieve emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In addition, the U.K.-based company said it plans to provide affordable access to COVID-19 diagnostics across all health systems; low-income countries will be given access to tests at cost through commercial and distribution partnerships. The self-test design will also be made available to Mologic's customers and partners across its contract research and manufacturing program, the firm said.