First Covid test which can detect the virus from a saliva swab will be rolled out across the UK 

The first test to detect ‘active’ Covid from a saliva swab rather than ‘harmless viral fragments’ is to be rolled out across the UK. 

The KnowNow antigen test mimics the surface of a human cell to identify the virus and only recognises ‘infectious’ or ‘active’ Covid.

By comparison, PCR and lateral flows are susceptible to picking up ‘harmless viral fragments’ – meaning some people test positive and have to isolate despite not having the virus.

The test is designed to mimic the experience of brushing your teeth rather than sticking a swab up the nose and swiping the back of the throat, and is more accurate than its predecessors.  

The KnowNow antigen test mimics the surface of a human cell to identify the virus and only recognises ‘infectious’ or ‘active’ Covid 

The test has been designed to mimic the experience of brushing your teeth rather than the widely loathed process of sticking a swab up the nose and swiping it at the back of the throat (stock image)

A spokesman said: ‘KnowNow enables testing to keep people safe, whilst minimising disruption, increasing trust and keeping society and the economy open.’

While currently registered in Britain and the EU and undergoing clinical trials, it is yet to be screened across the US.

Vatic Health Limited, a UK based health-tech company, has today signed the supply agreement with one of the largest manufacturers of lateral flow tests in Europe, Abingdon Health.

Together, they hope to roll out up to 100 million of the KnowNow Covid tests every year.

Alex Sheppard, co-founder of Vatic, said: ‘We are now moving into a new phase where the pandemic as we know it is over, and now we are having to deal with disruptions as we learn to live with the virus.

‘Unfortunately with the rise of several mutations across the world, vaccinations alone are not the total solution.

‘Regular testing technologies are needed to help reduce the overall spread and keep the economy back up and running.

Vatic Health Limited, a UK based health-tech company, has today signed the supply agreement with one of the largest manufacturers of lateral flow tests in Europe, Abingdon Health

‘Our unique test technology, combined with a UK-based manufacturing roll-out is a major milestone in testing.

‘With the potential to manufacture two million tests per month initially, and significantly more beyond this as we scale, this deal will help us ensure the hard-fought wins around societal reopening are retained and we can really make a global impact.

‘Covid-19 testing will remain alongside booster vaccinations, a key pillar of our collective biosecurity.’

Chris Yates, Chief Executive Officer of Abingdon Health, commented: ‘We are delighted to be working with Vatic on the technology transfer of their cutting edge Covid-19 test into Abingdon Health and to have secured this long-term manufacturing arrangement.

‘We expect to have concluding tech transfer shortly and having already completed the first phase of the expansion of our manufacturing capacity, we are now at the forefront of Covid-19 rapid testing and part of the UK’s diagnostic manufacturing capacity.

‘The agreement with Vatic is testament of our ability to provide high-quality services for our partners, whether for Covid-19 tests or non-Covid assays.’