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Spartan Bioscience is a biotechnology company that designs devices and technology to make DNA testing more accessible with applications in infectious disease, precision medicine, food and water safety testing and veterinary diagnostics.
Spartan developed a small PCR DNA analyzer called the Spartan Cube that fits in the palm of a hand. Samples are collected with a swab and inserted into a single-use DNA test cartridge which extracts the DNA and performs PCR to make millions of DNA copies, which are detected by fluorescence to generate a test result.
Spartan has agreements with the Canadian federal government as well as Ontario and Alberta provincial governments to supply its portable testing devices for COVID-19. The test would involve taking a swab from a person’s cheek and would provide results in 30 minutes. The company says it could produce several thousand devices a week. Spartan will use a PCR test that is already validated by the CDC. The device could be deployed at airports, cruise ships, military bases and remote areas to avoid long waits due to shipping samples to centralized locations.
