A COMPANY is set to offer a lifeline to businesses with the launch of its new Covid-19 testing service.

BioClavis, set up in 2017 as a spin-off from California-based life science firm, BioSpyder Technologies Inc., is based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus.

The BioClavis test, developed in collaboration with BioSpyder, detects the virus using an innovative biological barcoding technique called TempO-SPan.

Joel McComb, CEO and founder of both companies, said: "With a minor modification to our core TempO-Seq technology, we’re able to incorporate biological barcodes to track individual patient samples and their results at scale for Covid-19 and other respiratory infections.

"This enables a high volume of patient results to be analysed by a highly accurate and low-cost automated process.”

Using this method, BioClavis says it will have the capabilities to process 100,000 samples a day by the end of January.

Despite recent announcements about mass testing programmes, limited national testing capacity doesn’t allow for the routine screening necessary to enable workplaces to return to more normal ways of operating.

Working from home brings its own challenges.

In recent surveys employees have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of face-to-face contact and communication during the pandemic, as well a feeling of real community, all of which contribute to a sense of well-being.

Although vaccines are now starting to be rolled out, widespread access and immunity will take time to establish.

The tests offered by BioClavis will address this gap.

Through March 2021, the company asserts it will be in a position to scale from 100,000 tests per day to more than one million.

These tests will be available at around £30 per sample to companies and organisations prepared to subscribe to the routine service before the end of January.

To assist ongoing public health needs, pricing for excess capacity will be offered to the UK government efforts at further discounted prices.

Harper VanSteenhouse, head of the Glasgow-based firm said: "Our testing capabilities will make large scale, accurate and inexpensive screening routinely and widely available, helping to open up our society and the economy.

"This will be particularly relevant in the new year, as people across the UK and Europe look forward to relaxation of restrictions on movement and working.

"Our service will be invaluable when it comes to lowering the risks to employees in business sectors such as construction, food, oil and gas and retail, where employees must be present to be effective, and broaden the safe return to work."

See bioclavis.co.uk/covid for more information.