3M, MIT working on ‘rapid diagnostic test’ for COVID-19

Tuesday, 3M announced it is working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to develop a rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19.

The Minnesota-based company says it is working with MIT to see whether a simple-to-use device could produce accurate results and could be easy to manufacture.

According to 3M, the test could be done in a health care setting with no need to send the sample off to a lab.

In a news release, 3M says it believes the tests can be sent out once they are validated, and that millions of units could be produced per day.

"We are excited to collaborate with Professor Hadley Sikes and the team at MIT. Our approach is ambitious, but our collective expertise can make a difference for people around the world, so we owe it to ourselves and society to give it our best effort," said John Banovetz, 3M senior vice president for innovation and stewardship and chief technology officer. "This is another step demonstrating 3M’s leadership in the fight against COVID-19. We are seeking to improve the speed, accessibility and affordability of testing for the virus, a major step in helping to prevent its spread.