Benzinga | Mar 8, 2021 05:34AM EST

Adaptive Biotechnologies Secures FDA EUA For COVID-19 T-Cell Response Test

The FDA issued the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Adaptive Biotechnologies Corp's (NASDAQ: ADPT) T-Detect COVID-19 Test on Friday. It will be used to determine whether an individual had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 in the past.

* This T cell-based test is the first indication resulting from Adaptive's TCR-Antigen Map collaboration with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT).

* Unlike other tests that detect blood-based antibodies to determine the prior infection with the virus, the T-Detect COVID-19 Test leverages immune repertoire sequencing technology to identify individuals with an adaptive T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection.

* The EUA was issued based on a clinical validation study demonstrating a sensitivity of 97.1% from the date of COVID-19 diagnosis with RT-PCR. The test also showed a specificity of 100%.

* The FDA noted that the test should not be used to diagnose current SARS-CoV-2 infection.

* The blood-based test is for use by healthcare professionals on samples from individuals who experienced COVID-19 symptoms at least 15 days earlier, the FDA said.

* Price Action: ADPT shares are up 15.7% at $48.84 in the premarket session on the last check Monday.