Get your COVID-19 Testing Done at the New INDICAID Lab in the Heart of Central
Press ReleaseDecember 15, 2021
(只有英文版本)
The one-stop lab promises quick, easy and accurate PCR, rapid antigen and antibody testing services in a safe and comfortable environment at an affordable price, giving end users peace of mind in one go.
A brand-new testing concept
With mandatory testing becoming the “new normal” for many, the need to get it done conveniently and cost-effectively has become a pressing issue. For those who work or live in Central, it was a choice to visit the community testing centre at the Shek Tong Tsui Sports Centre, a private clinic or hospital. Sensing the need to provide a handy location and efficient but comprehensive professional services in the Central business district, Phase Scientific opened INDICAID lab at 88 Des Voeux Road to cater to those working or living in the area. The brand-new testing concept offering all COVID-19 testings under one roof is the first of its kind in Hong Kong.
Phase Scientific, a high-growth biotech company headquartered in Hong Kong with locations in the Greater Bay Area and Southern California, is no stranger to COVID-19 testing. Founded to provide novel diagnostic tools and services for cancer and infectious diseases with their proprietary technologies, it is backed by the likes of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and received funding from the China, Hong Kong and US governments. The company quickly became the Hong Kong government’s approved COVID-19 testing institution (in collaboration with ONCO Laboratory), running community testing centres, mobile testing vehicles and lockdown operations. Its INDICAID rapid antigen test is the first in Greater China to obtain emergency use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration. Since October 2020, the company has sold over 10 million rapid antigen test kits in more than 30 countries worldwide, including Hong Kong where they are designated for hospital and care home visits.
Filling the gap
With six testing rooms,in-house doctor and nurses, INDICAID lab is designed to fulfil testing needs for all. That includes children under three years old who are not allowed to be tested at community testing centres, a segment that has been neglected until now. Business and family travellers, unvaccinated workers in high-risk groups that require proof to employers, and those attending large-scale events can make use of the expedient services. The lab’s PCR test with painless deep throat saliva or nasal and throat swabs, a prerequisite for outbound and cruise travel, includes doctor’s consultation and a test result report and certificate.
Those who need a rapid antigen test can get a report, suitable for entry to over 20 countries including UK and US, on the spot within 30 minutes for just $220. And if you are vaccinated and contemplating getting a booster shot, you can get an antibody test with a report showing qualitative and quantitative results within 48 hours.
With Christmas around the corner, INDICAID lab has launched a comprehensive protection package that lets you travel with peace of mind. For $480, you get a PCR test, a box of 30 INDICAID Level 3 masks and a rapid antigen test kit. The promotion period runs till January 5, 2022, making it perfect for those heading out of town for the holidays.
Effective in detecting Omicron infections
What about Omicron, the latest heavily-mutated COVID-19 variant that is having the world on edge? According to Ricky Chiu, Chairman and CEO of Phase Scientific, its sophisticated diagnostic approach can detect different types of coronaviruses. “When we design the PCR reagent, we focus on the regions in the RNA that are less prone to mutation while targeting multiple hotspots to ensure that the accuracy of the test is not being compromised by Omicron or even newer variants in the future. For the rapid antigen test, the antigen focuses on the nucleic acid or N protein that resides inside the virus to protect the RNA itself. At the same time, whenever a variant, such as Omicron, appears, we conduct immediate analysis of it and have found that all our products do not change in performance or efficacy,” he said.
An eye towards the future
While Chiu reckons that COVID-19 will be around for a couple of years, his vision for INDICAID lab extends well beyond that time frame. He is looking to actively develop and provide more diverse diagnostic testing services for cancer and other infectious diseases to enable the public to understand and master health anytime and anywhere. He also has his eyes on establishing telemedicine options and exploring markets outside of Hong Kong. But for now, expanding INDICAID lab to other locations in the city served with convenient transportation is on his immediate radar. And when the much-anticipated reopening of Hong Kong’s border with mainland China to quarantine-free travel takes place, increasing staffing and extending operating hours to meet the increased demand for testing is very much on the cards.
News Source: SCMP
