Bradford-based manufacturing and distribution company Multibrands International has become one of the first companies in the UK to launch an approved Covid-19 Antigen Test Kit that reveals current infection.
The news comes as the total number of confirmed UK cases surpasses 1 million, with over 52,000 deaths. The UK Government has ploughed £43bn into the ‘Project Moonshot’ testing initiative that aims to roll out rapid turnaround tests across the country.
The antigen test kit reveals if a person is currently infected with the SARS-COV-2 pathogen. Once the infection has gone, the antigen will no longer be present.
The Panodyne SARS-COV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kit uses a specially designed swab that is inserted into the nostril and mouth to take samples from the nasal cavity and tonsils. Measuring just 15cm, the Panodyne Antigen test kit is less invasive than other tests available.
Collected samples are then placed into an extraction tube that contains approximately 0.5ml of a specially designed virus preservation solution. After just 2 minutes, the specimen is placed on a testing cassette, and an accurate result is revealed within 15 minutes.
The accuracy ratings for the Panodyne Antigen Test Kit are up to 98% accurate and it can be used by medical professionals to confirm current infection. Data collected from test results can be used to investigate the spread of the virus, further inform safe working practices and help to curb the virus.
Rizwana Hussain, Sales Director, and Co-Founder at Multibrands International comments: “Since the initial outbreak of the virus, we have invested over £12 million into our Panodyne range to manufacture and supply essential PPE products.
“We have made it very clear that this test kit should only ever be used by trained medical professionals and we understand that this Antigen Test Kit is one of the first of its type to achieve conformity and able to carry the CE logo.”
The test kits are part of a range of COVID-related products available from Multibrands International. The range also includes a certified Antibody test kit which uses a fingertip blood sample to detect the presence of antibodies produced by the body’s immune system that lasts long after the initial infection.
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Multibrands International has invested over £12m into the production of its PPE equipment brands, Panodyne to support the ongoing battle to tackle the virus and stop the spread of infection.
All products in the Panodyne range have been carefully researched and designed in the UK, and the brand has since become a trusted UK supplier of high-quality PPE equipment, including certified, medical-grade Type I and Type II R facemasks, hand sanitizers, and other specialist PPE items that are fully tested to the highest European standards and available to purchase from leading retailers, including Morrison’s, Aldi, and Amazon.
Rizwana adds: “As we have facilities based in China, we were able to provide early support and also be on the front-foot in predicting a global need. We manufacture a full range of consumer essentials, including female sanitary products. When the outbreak initially began in China, we immediately restructured our production machines to begin producing high-quality PPE equipment.
Headquartered in Bradford, Multibrands International was established in 1998 manufacturing and supplying a range of premium quality, own-brand, everyday FMCG consumer essentials including personal hygiene, and advanced LED household lighting solutions to leading wholesalers and independent buying groups worldwide. The company currently employs over 50 members of staff with additional administration and production facilities in India and China.
