Biotechnology leader LuminUltra has partnered with The Infection Prevention Strategy (TIPS) in the fight against COVID-19 to provide global education on the importance of verifying proper disinfection protocols with science-based methodology.
As a global leader in molecular diagnostic testing, LuminUltra has developed portable qPCR technology that can test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – in a variety of environments including surfaces, air and wastewater. While individual human carriers are tested for COVID-19 using clinical diagnostics, broader environmental surveillance testing is essential for identifying the presence of the virus within a space or community. These environmental surveillance tools can be used for a variety of purposes, including to identify whether an infected person was present in a given space, as well as to verify that the virus has been properly eradicated following disinfection. This crucial information arms decision makers with measurable insight into the safety of their facilities and communities and disinfection protocols.
TIPS is a nonprofit organization that works to advance innovations, ideas and processes that make a difference in global health. Advocating for science-based approaches to infection prevention is a key component of their mandate and they offer a variety of programs such as Master Classes to educate businesses and organizations on emerging best practices. They also assist in the validation and adoption of proper disinfection protocols. LuminUltra is participating in the TIPS Science to Market® program, which is designed to bring innovations that can make an impact in global health to a broader market.
“LuminUltra’s COVID-19 environmental surveillance solutions are a perfect match with the TIPS Science to Market® program,” said Michael Diamond, TIPS Executive Director. “This program is designed to introduce new, innovative technologies to the market that can be directly applied to improve safety. LuminUltra’s technology provides evidenced-based insight into whether the disinfection protocols facilities are following are effective. This verification step is crucial to validating and improving processes and ultimately better managing the threat of COVID-19.”
LuminUltra launched its COVID-19 environmental surveillance tools in early spring in response to the growing challenges of the pandemic. The company has also provided much needed clinical testing supplies, providing the Government of Canada with 500,000 COVID-19 clinical tests per week.
“It’s time to think differently about pandemic management,” said Pat Whalen, President & CEO of LuminUltra. “Widespread and effective testing of both people and environments is crucial in the fight against COVID-19. Proactive testing solutions are essential to keeping our communities safe and enabling economies to stay open. Our mandate has always been to offer portable, easier-to-use technology that provides lab-quality results to more people.”
“We’re proud to partner with TIPS and their team of globally recognized scientists, epidemiologists and public health experts to create awareness for and access to these testing solutions that are integral to life in our new normal,” added Whalen.
