As the world watches a concerning new strain of SARS-COV-2 first identified in the United Kingdom, one global biotech company has announced that their antigen test kit can detect the variant.

China based JOYSBIO Biotechnology Co.'s SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kit is capable of detecting the new coronavirus strain, referred to as SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01, Variant of Concern 202012/01, VOC-202012/01, or lineage B.1.1.7.

SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01 is believed to be a more contagious strain than other variants of COVID-19. As a result, many nations have restricted travel from the United Kingdom as the world continues to grapple with a disease that has caused numerous deaths.

The SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kit from JOYSBIO produces accurate results in as little as 15 minutes. The test, designed to be as easy to administer as a saliva test, uses a small nasal swab inserted approximately 2.5 centimeters into the nostril. The smaller swab is far less-invasive than the longer nasopharyngeal (NP) swab used in most COVID-19 tests worldwide.

JOYSBIO's revolutionary test kit relies on a lateral flow immunoassay for the qualitative detection of COVID-19 antigens in upper respiratory samples during the acute phase of infection. This style of test is widely used internationally for rapid coronavirus screening and diagnosis. The test was clinically evaluated to prove its efficacy.