Abbott Laboratories has trials underway for its rapid coronavirus test to determine whether it could effectively be used on asymptomatic people, CEO Robert Ford told CNBC on Friday.

The company on Wednesday received emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for its new coronavirus antigen test, which it says sells for $5 and can produce results in 15 minutes similar to a pregnancy test.

Abbott’s latest product is a notable development as the U.S. attempts to build out Covid-19 testing capacity this fall — but for now, the FDA’s authorization for the test is limited in scope. It can be used only within seven days of someone showing coronavirus symptoms and in consultation with a health-care provider, meaning it is not authorized to test presymptomatic people or those without symptoms.

But Ford said the Illinois-based medical equipment company has hopes to expand beyond the …continued .
[Source: CNBC News]