New Zealand software company Rfider is providing the digital link between a Singaporean-based COVID-19 testing technology company and the platform supporting an increasingly popular, global travel pass.
Chief executive John Pennington said Rfider was first selected by Invitrocue, a multinational, bioanalytic solutions provider, to provide tracking, tracing and verification technology for its saliva-based antigen and PCR-based testing.
“Each test has a unique ID it carries from manufacture through to use and reporting. That ID helps defeat counterfeiting and allows individual test results to be authenticated,” said Pennington.
“We have proven compatibility with Evernym’s Verity, which is the technology platform supporting the IATA travel pass. The travel pass is being trialled by more than 40 airlines at the moment. Unlike the tiny bit of paper New Zealanders are given to carry as proof of their vaccination, or single test results, we can digitise this type of data and send it securely to individual’s mobile devices to use for things like the travel pass.”
James Monaghan, vice-president of product for Evernym stated that trust, reliability and privacy are critical for the exchange of health data.
“We are pleased to be working with Rfider to make this possible,” he said.
With this partnership, individuals will be able to store their health data securely on their mobile device and privately share it with trusted providers and authorities with the tap of a button.
Dr Stephen Fang, Invitrocue’s executive director, expressed that the Rfider platform is providing the mission-critical infrastructure required to effectively deploy rapid-testing technologies internationally - and at scale.
“Our tests are able to accurately test for asymptomatic and symptomatic cases of COVID-19 in minutes – without the need for expensive lab equipment,” said Fang.
“With Rfider we are able to scale the deployment of this testing technology and get results to decision-makers and test subjects in real-time. It is a step-change in not only the way testing is conducted but how we can get better data faster.”
Fang believes that the partnership also has the potential to revolutionise point-of-care testing for other infectious diseases and general health.
The Rfider platform can help to dramatically reduce the time taken to get test results to workers at hospitals, airports, hotels, and has huge potential for recovery of the meetings, incentives, conference, and events (MICE) market internationally.
Roderick Kamleshwaran, a partner at global MICE sector consultancy GainingEdge, said the events sector - from meetings to mega-events like Dubai World Expo - is actively looking at rapid COVID testing at venues as a key tool to providing confidence to attendees to return to large gatherings.
