Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) Greenlight Veredus Laboratories’ Saliva Testing for COVID-19 as In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Use

Singapore, Dec 02, 2020 – Veredus Laboratories Pte Ltd “Veredus” has obtained Provisional Authorisation from Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for ZeroPrep™ Saliva Collection Kit and extraction-free VereRT™ ZeroPrep™ COVID-19 PCR Kit for use in combination as an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) test for COVID-19 in Singapore. This follows Veredus’ launch extraction-free RT-PCR test using saliva as a Research Use Only (RUO) test earlier. Veredus can now supply to healthcare institutions, private hospitals, medical clinics and clinical laboratories licensed under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics (PHMC) Act (Cap. 248) for use on their patients in Singapore.

ZeroPrep™ Saliva Collection Kit is a specimen device intended for the collection of human saliva. When used in conjunction with VereRT™ ZeroPrep™ COVID-19 PCR Kit, the saliva specimen can be tested for COVID-19. In addition to saliva, VereRT™ ZeroPrep™ COVID-19 PCR Kit is an RNA extraction-free IVD test that can also be used with nasopharyngeal swab.

Dr Rosemary Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Veredus Laboratories said, “This is another great achievement for Veredus. We are very proud and at the same time, grateful for the Authority to approve our product as the first human saliva-based IVD test for COVID-19 in Singapore. We believe our extraction-free saliva test method is also amongst the world’s first diagnostic product for COVID-19 using human saliva instead of conventional nasopharyngeal swab. With aims to facilitate massive COVID-19 testing via non-invasive specimen collection method, we also want to support laboratories with quicker and more efficient ways to strengthen their diagnostic effort for COVID-19.”