Drawbridge Health announced today that it has partnered with the University of Cambridge (UK) to use the OneDraw blood collection device for detecting COVID-19.
Melo Park, Calif.-based Drawbridge and Cambridge’s Medical Research Council (MRC) epidemiology unit are using the OneDraw device for remote blood-sample collection in a large-scale surveillance study for assessing the prevalence of previous infection with COVID-19.
According to a news release, restrictions forced by the ongoing pandemic mean remote, non-contact blood collection is critical for safe and efficient delivery of fit-for-purpose samples.
Launched in July, the study has recruited 4,000 participants in an effort to quantify the proportion of people who have been previously infected with COVID-19 in the cohort, which broadly represents the population of Cambridgeshire, England.
OneDraw is being used to obtain remote blood samples for repeated COVID-19 serological testing over a 9-12 month period, allowing participants to collect blood samples at home before sending them for analysis in a clinical testing laboratory, eliminating the need for face-to-face interaction and minimizing virus exposure and potential spread.
“Through the Fenland COVID-19 study, the OneDraw device has proven to be an innovative and valuable solution for remote blood collection,” MRC epidemiology unit director and lead study investigator Nick Wareham said in the release. “The Fenland study is lucky to have a very engaged community of research participants, so it’s been heartening to be able to use this technology to continue to work with them when we can no longer see them face to face as we normally would.
“Drawbridge Health recognizes the urgent need for better methods of blood sample collection and high quality test results to aid in pandemic mitigation as well as much-needed advancements in the management of metabolic disorders,” added Drawbridge CEO Lee McCracken. “We are thrilled to advance and expand our partnership with the University of Cambridge.”