Framingham biotech begins coronavirus antibody testing
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Boston Heart Diagnostics in Framingham
A Framingham biotechnology company has begun blood-based antibody testing for coronavirus, a step that could eventually help experts better determine who has been exposed to the virus or developed an immunity.
Boston Heart Diagnostics said it began testing for the virus April 6, offering it to hospitals only initially because of what expects is an overwhelming demand in acute-care settings. It eventually plans to offer the test more broadly through the laboratory network of its parent company, Luxembourg-based Eurofins.
Testing is recommended at least 14 days after potential exposure to give the body time to build an immune response and produce antibodies, Boston Heart Diagnostics said. Antibody testing is likely to become a crucial next step in fighting the spread of the virus, according to the company, which conducts advanced cardiovascular testing.
The Eurofins network will initially run nearly 5,000 tests per day, or 200 results every hour, according to the firm. Hospitals along the East Coast will have the option to courier specimens to Boston Heart Diagnostics in just hours.
Boston Heart Diagnostics said it is working with more than 20 hospitals across the country on antibody testing, half of which are in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
There are two types of tests, one that tests for IgM antibodies and another for IgG antibodies.
In exposed patients, IgM antibody levels rapidly increase within three to seven days after infection. IgG antibody levels rise within 10 to 17 days and persist, indicating potential immunity to the virus.
Boston Heart Diagnostics joins another MetroWest company, Quest Diagnostics in Marlborough, in helping to respond to pandemic-related testing needs. Quest Diagnostics has processed more than 56,000 tests through Tuesday, nearly half of those conducted in all of Massachusetts.
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