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In two laboratories in Trondheim, researchers perform 1.2 million sets of coronal tests per week. In recent times, hospitals in Norway have received 5 million deliveries of this type.
And now companies and health authorities from outside the country have also approached NTNU to end the virus that has rocked us for years.
Denmark and India first out
The NTNU test reveals whether there is coronavirus in samples that are normally taken from a patient’s nose or throat.
The technology was developed by NTNU and St. Olav Hospital, and helped Norway to begin large-scale coronation trials in April. It was a breakthrough.
The test they have done is very sensitive. Covid-19 disease can be detected even in samples with little virus.
Outside of Norway, it is currently the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the Indian biotechnology company Aps Labs that have signed an agreement with NTNU. A total of one million tests are on the way from Norway.
This is probably just the beginning of a major export.
Ministries of health and private companies from other countries in Europe and Asia, Africa, North and South America have contacted NTNU.
Indian director praises quality
The director, Dr. Paritosh Shekhar, of the Indian company, considers the Norwegian test kits to be extraordinary, according to a press release from NTNU.
Before purchasing the Norwegian test kits, they conducted extensive evaluations.
– Performance is on par with leading corona tests. Quality is why we chose NTNU, says Shekhar.
NTNU itself has compared its test with other products on the market.
– Our test works better than many of them. That is also the reason why it is the most important test in Norway, says postdoctoral fellow Sulalit Bandyopadhyay.
MASS PRODUCTION: In the lab, postdoctoral fellow Sulalit Bandyopadhyay and his colleagues conduct coronal testing throughout the day. Each bottle in this refrigerator can test 10,000 Covid samples.
Photo: Jøte Toftaker / NRK
Furthermore, it is easy for NTNU to increase production when necessary. If demand is high, they will rapidly increase production.
They think they can save lives
The test should give an answer as to whether we have the virus in us. It is not about finding out who has immunity.
Professor Magnar Bjørås is one of the people responsible for the development of the test. He is very happy that international exports can begin.
– Our social mission is to conduct research that benefits people. This is a good use of taxpayers’ money, says Bjørås.
He believes that the spread of NTNU technology can help save lives around the world.
WORKED AT A RECORD SPEED: The development of the test equipment has taken place in record time. In mid-April, the tests were verified with conventional tests and approved by the Norwegian authorities.
Photo: Bent Lindsetmo / NRK
The most important thing is to spread the evidence, not get rich
You don’t sell the crown tests to make a fortune.
When it comes to finances, they are currently more concerned with covering their costs, according to Tonje Steigedal. He is a project manager at NTNU Technology Transfer and responsible for the commercialization of the technology.
ONGOING CONSULTATIONS: Tonje Steigedal says that health authorities in other countries, as well as private actors, have shown interest in NTNU testing.
Photo: Jøte Toftaker / NRK
– The most important thing for us is to simply remove it; it is not about making as much money as now. But if this is going to be sustainable and companies are going to be established and somehow work on this, we may have to look at prices and so forth.
As the world benefits from NTNU’s innovative work, work continues in four laboratories in Trondheim. Two of them prepare the corona tests, one ensures their quality and another investigates.
