Fulgent Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLGT) ("Fulgent" or the "Company"), a technology-based genetic testing company focused on transforming patient care in oncology, infectious and rare diseases, and reproductive health, today announced that it has launched an antibody test for COVID-19 which will specifically target neutralizing antibodies. The test will be available through the Company’s consumer initiated platform, Picture Genetics.
Fulgent aims to empower individuals with better data on their potential resistance levels to COVID-19 by making antibody testing readily available to consumers through its Picture Genetics platform. This lab developed test is performed with a finger prick in the comfort of a patient’s home, with no need for a physician visit and venipuncture. By expanding access to this antibody data, we hope to better understand the long-term effectiveness of vaccines and potential herd immunity to COVID-19.
Unlike typical antibody tests that detect all antibodies in patients, Fulgent’s antibody test will specifically detect the level of neutralizing antibodies in patients from a recent COVID-19 infection, or those who have been vaccinated against the virus. Neutralizing antibodies are unique in that they bind to a specific part of a pathogen and have been observed to decrease SARS-CoV-2 viral infection of cells, thus targeting these specific antibodies gives us better insight into the level of immunity of a patient. The detection of neutralizing antibodies in patients requires a higher level of specificity and sensitivity given antibodies can rapidly decrease within the months following a COVID-19 infection or vaccination. Immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and its variants is not yet well understood as research on the topic is ongoing.
"With the launch of our neutralizing antibody test, we hope to provide patients and healthcare providers with better data on immunity to COVID-19, whether from the vaccine or a previous infection," said Dr. Harry Gao, Chief Scientific Officer of Fulgent. "While we cannot yet conclude whether the presence of neutralizing antibodies guarantees immunity against a COVID-19 infection, we hope that this test can help determine immunity levels and the need for vaccine boosters across the population and help to improve our country’s overall response to the virus."
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