Firm Founded by UC Alumnus Receives Health Canada Approval for Rapid COVID-19 Test; Kits to Ship this Week

Spartan Bioscience, a firm led by Dr. Paul Lem (BSc 1998 UC), has received Health Canada approval for their new rapid COVID-19 test.

The Spartan Cube testing kit takes the form of a handheld DNA analyzer and can produce results in less than an hour. The kits will help relieve pressure on public health laboratories and will be particularly useful in rural and remote areas. The company also produces the swab that is used for the test, another advantage in light of global swab shortages.

Spartan Bioscience has contracts to produce rapid COVID-19 tests for the federal government, as well as Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Read more about this story in The Globe and Mail.