PathSensors has announced it will develop a COVID-19 diagnostic kit using CANARY™ (Cellular Analysis and Notification of Antigen Risks and Yields) technology, which it currently uses in environmental testing. 

The technology was developed by MIT-Lincoln Laboratories to combat anthrax attacks after 9/11 and Pathsensors have an exclusive license for its use. At present, PathSensors provide a SARS-CoV -2 aerosol air sampling detection kit using the technology.  

CANARY is a cell-based biosensor technology used for the rapid detection of pathogens.  The biosensor is a genetically engineered immune cell that lights up when it identifies and binds to a pathogen. The technology is used in the food safety, agriculture, emerging diseases and biodefense sectors. 

The company’s core business is environmental testing in fields such as building protection, mail security, food safety, and agriculture. Test panels for other infectious diseases will follow in future years.

Smiths Detection; a developer of threat detection and screening technologies used in aviation, ports and borders, defence and urban security markets, recently acquired PathSensors.