1. Antigen test-rapid test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in which an active infection is suspected. In this way, infected persons can be quickly detected and the virus can be slowed down.
2. This test is performed with a nasal swab and delivers a result within 15 minutes. It is a mobile, reliable and affordable option.
3. This Corona self-test Panbio  TM Rapid test Device tests for the presence of the virus protein, it can detect someone who is infected at the time of the test. With this rapid antigen test, the person being tested gets immediate results at the test site.
4. The Panbio  TM test uses the "lateral flow" technology, so the result is known after 15 minutes. The test is performed with a sample taken using a short nose swab. If the result is positive, no confirmation test should be performed.
5. A negative result does not rule out a infection. 
6. From preliminary results performed on 241 samples, the Panbio  TM antigen test had a sensitivity of 98.1% and a specificity of 99.8% in subjects suspected of being exposed to or having symptoms in the previous 7 days. 

The Corona self-test Panbio TM antigen rapid test is equipped with safety features that provide protection against bio-risk, which reduces the chance that healthcare professionals will be infected with the virus. 

Self-test to be performed between 1 to 7 days after the onset of symptoms:
- Sensitivity: 98.1% [93.2%; 99.8%]
- Specificity: 99.8% [98.6%; 100.0%]
- Result in 15 minutes
- No special equipment required
- User-friendly, convenient and mobile
- If the result is positive, no confirmation test needs to be performed

Technical specifications Panbio  TM antgen corona test:
- To be used in persons suspected of contamination
- Fast result: 15-20 minutes
- Reliable test result: sensitivity 98.1%, Specificity 99.8%
- Storage: 2 ° C - 30 ° C
- CE marked
- Sample removal by nose wiper

Contents: 
- 25 test
cassettes - 1 Buffer solution 9ml / bottle
- 25 extraction tubes - 25 extraction tube
caps
- 1 positive control swab
- 1 negative control
swab - 25 sterilized short nasal swabs for sample collection
- 1 tube rack
- 1 Quick manual
- 1 Instructions for use

With the Covid-19 self-testing landscape maturing in India, US-based pharma and diagnostics giant Abbott launched Panbio has launched a rapid antigen self-test kit in India for Rs 325 a test. This is the second such test kit available in the country after Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions launched CoviSelf in May.

CoviSelf is priced at Rs 250 per test.

Abbott’s Panbio, which will be imported from its Korean plant, will be available at retail outlets by the end of this month. Ambati Venu, Vice President, Pharmaceuticals, Abbott India said that compared to an RT-PCR test, this is much more economical, and therefore, access to a self-test will be much higher.

Venu added that PanBio would be distributed through collaboration between Abbott’s diagnostics and pharmaceutical divisions. “We will make the product available across half a million stores, which will not only cover semi-urban but also tier-2 and 3 cities where the access to RT-PCR was always a challenge,” he said. PanBio Self-Tests will be available via retail pharmacies and through e-commerce platforms, as well as through organizations and institutions.

The PanBio professional test demonstrated 95.7 per cent sensitivity and 97.6 per cent specificity when benchmarked against RT-PCR tests.

“Abbott is the only diagnostics manufacturer to provide performance data on a rapid antigen test specific for use on children 15 years and younger, including infants,” the company claimed. PanBio is on the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing.

Abbott expects to import a few million kits, but did not give a specific number. Venu said, “We are targeting three segments–home testing (self testing); assisted testing in clinics, labs etc; and third is ‘return to work’ segment. As corporates start opening up, airline travel picks up, educational institutions re-open, and hotels resume hosting clients, there is huge potential for such point of care Covid19 testing.”

In India, Abbott will offer self-tests for use at home, assisted professional testing at point of care and laboratories, as well as workplace testing to help enable a sense of normalcy in returning to places of employment.

"Rapid antigen testing is critical in the fight against COVID-19 and Abbott is delivering a variety of diagnostics options at a critical juncture in the pandemic," said Sanjeev Johar, divisional vice president of Abbott’s rapid diagnostics business in Asia Pacific. "Self-testing is a proven tool that provides an added layer of defense along with public health protocols and the vaccine roll out."

The company has also priced the kit competitively. Johar elaborated: “The test is available in four pack sizes – one test pack is available for Rs 325 at the retail outlet to the consumer. As one moves to larger packs, the price per test becomes economical–for 20 test packs, it is Rs 280 per test.”

The PanBio Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test is easy-to-use, Abbott said. “People can take the test by using a simple nasal swab (not the deep nasopharyngeal swab) while following the Instructions for Use steps on pack. For children younger than 14 years, an adult caretaker should help collect the nasal samples and conduct the test procedures. The kit contains all the materials required including nasal swabs, test devices and reagent ampules. No additional instrumentation is required to conduct the test,” it explained.

The results come in 15 minutes, and the test is to be used along with Abbott’s NAVICA mobile app.

The app offers a process of self-registration, automatic reading of results and reporting as per ICMR guidelines. Since last August to date, Abbott has shipped 300 million PanBio Covid-19 Antigen Rapid tests for professional use in more than 100 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa.