The new high-volume COVID-19 cartridge-based test system is capable of rapidly detecting multiple virus infections.
Large quantities of patients can be tested through this industrial-grade test system, which is currently being deployed in the market via several medical hardware system providers. In this context, authorities classified Hahnemühle in March 2020 as a mission critical (system relevant) production facility to ensure continued production and supply chain peace of mind during this difficult period in the fight against COVID-19.
“Hahnemühle has been innovating in the area of life sciences since 1883, and is also known as one of the inventors of pure filtration and analytical systems. We provide these solutions to companies within the healthcare sector, hospitals, and laboratories. We are proud to be a contributor to the global fight against COVID-19”, says Jan Wölfle, President and CEO of Hahnemühle FineArt Group.
This high-volume cartridge-based test system for coronavirus consists of a one-time use cartridge, including agents and substrates from Hahnemühle, plus a computer based analytical system from various hardware vendors. Samples are multiplied within the one-time use cartridge and results are delivered within one hour. The system can detect evidence of more than 20 viruses within the sample and was upgraded and approved in March 2020 to also detect COVID-19. Suspected cases can be tested faster, in higher volumes, isolated and, if needed, treated much more efficiently and with more scalability than in the past.
Fast testing to detect COVID-19 is essential in the fight to contain and mitigate the coronavirus outbreak. Many manufacturers are increasing their capacity as fast as possible and are requesting these cartridge-based consumables in high volumes from us. To that end, we are deploying additional resources and developing, in tandem with our customers, additional solutions to help fight this global pandemic. By the end of this year, we will increase our monthly capacity to provide consumables for up to at least 20 million COVID-19 tests per month. Special procedures have already been put in place since January to ensure that all guidelines from authorities are proactively followed globally. Our Production and Finishing Departments are in rotating 3-shift schedules, while the Sales and Administration Departments are working in a similar shift schedule both on- and off-site to ensure mission critical business continuity.
Submitted by Hahnemühle
