Canadian biotechnology leader LuminUltra will provide 500,000 urgently needed COVID-19 tests per week to the Canadian federal government for use across Canada.
In his press conference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that New Brunswick-based LuminUltra is ramping up its production capacity to provide tests for the provinces and territories.
“We responded immediately to the Prime Minister’s call to action to join in the fight against this virus by refocusing our team to develop the tests needed for COVID-19,” said LuminUltra Chairman and CEO Pat Whalen. “By producing and delivering 500,000 tests per week that leverage the existing testing infrastructure, we are essentially providing one test for every Canadian as a crucial step towards defeating the pandemic, protecting Canadians and alleviating the human cost of this disease.”
Recognized internationally as a leader in rapid-results biological testing, LuminUltra has the specialized tools and talent needed to produce the tests quickly, accurately and in large quantities. The company is well positioned from both a manufacturing and financial perspective to ramp up production to meet this growing demand. Shipment of these tests has already begun, and the pace will continue for the year ahead.
Added Whalen: “Our team at LuminUltra is very proud to be able to help Canadians during this incredibly difficult time for our country. Given our expertise in biological testing for environmental applications it is a natural extension for us to develop a test for COVID-19. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside the team at the Public Health Agency of Canada over the past few weeks, whose tireless work in protecting our country has been an inspiration.”
