LUCENCE/A*STAR
16.6.2020 12:02:06 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Molecular diagnostics company Lucence and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) today announced study results indicating that the reagent used in Lucence’s SAFER Sample saliva collection kit inactivates SARS-CoV-2 within 45 seconds of sample collection. This proprietary reagent also stabilizes viral RNA at room temperature for up to one week. Together, these properties enable accessible, non-invasive, and safe sample collection via saliva, which is critical to scaling cost-effective testing worldwide. The reagent used in Lucence’s SAFER Sample kit was invented at A*STAR’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200616005320/en/
The SAFER Sample Collection Kit is registered as a Class A medical device with the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore and is an easy-to-use saliva collection kit that comes with a bottle of stabilization fluid to be mixed with the sample at the point of collection, keeping viral RNA stable at room temperature for up to one week. While conventional viral transport media requires cold-chain transport to prevent sample degradation, which can drive up associated costs and limit testing geography, SAFER Sample’s proprietary media means samples can be transported to a lab without the need for chilling.
In this new study, Lucence and A*STAR demonstrated that the proprietary reagent provided with the SAFER Sample kit also achieved complete inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 virus within 45 seconds of exposure. Conventional viral transport media used for collecting nasal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens do not inactivate viral samples, creating risk of exposure to active virus during transportation from collection sites to the laboratory and higher costs associated with biohazard handling procedures. SAFER Sample kit’s viral inactivation capabilities could mean enhanced safety and reduced risk of exposure for any individual involved in the collection, transport, and testing processes. Lucence worked with the Diagnostics Development (DxD) Hub of A*STAR to evaluate the virucidal properties of the SAFER Sample reagent. Duke-NUS Medical School was also engaged to perform the virucidal work with SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Mass testing and screening of large populations is key to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, morbidity and mortality. By eliminating obstacles to sample integrity and, now, biosafety through viral inactivation, the SAFER Sample kit could expand testing geography, decrease associated costs, and increase efficiency of testing at scale compared to approaches utilizing conventional viral transport media.
Studies with clinical partners are ongoing to further evaluate the performance of the SAFER Sample kit. With the support of DxD Hub in verification and validation, quality management system (QMS), and regulatory registration, Lucence has received ISO13485:2016 certification for its QMS which controls the processes for the manufacture of the SAFER Sample Saliva Specimen Collection Kit.
About Lucence
Lucence is a precision oncology company that makes state-of-the-art, highly sensitive liquid biopsy tests for disease detection and treatment selection. Lucence is headquartered in Palo Alto and Singapore, and its services are delivered worldwide through an accredited central laboratory. Visit www.lucence.com for more information.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency, spearheading economic-oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and research entities, the wider research community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg . For information on the Diagnostics Development (DxD) Hub, visit https://www.a-star.edu.sg/accelerate/innovation-offerings/diagnostics-development-hub
Follow us on Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200616005320/en/
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Beerenberg Prevails in Patent Case Against Aspen Aerogels29.6.2026 07:00:00 CEST | Press release
The ruling confirms that Beerenberg did not infringe Aspen Aerogels’ patents. The Korean Patent Court has invalidated three of Aspen Aerogels’ patents related to improved hydrophobic aerogel material. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260628192007/en/ Beerenberg delivers high-end insulation solutions built for performance, reliability, and long-term value. (Photo: Beerenberg) The ruling confirms the conclusion of the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board (IPTAB) that the patents did not meet the necessary requirements for patentability. Beerenberg, which specializes in high-end insulation products, welcomes the court’s decision. “We are pleased that the case has now been concluded and that any uncertainty regarding the infringement claims has been removed,” says CEO Arild Apelthun. About Beerenberg Beerenberg has delivered cost-efficient solutions to a wide range of industrial enterprises for 49 years. Th
Seiden Law LLP States: Cambodian Businessman Leak Yim, Wrongfully Accused in Thailand, Seeks Redress in U.S. Court29.6.2026 06:00:00 CEST | Press release
Seiden Law LLP (“Seiden Law”), legal counsel for Mr. Leak Yim, a Cambodia national, and his family, announces the filing of an application in U.S. federal district court in Washington D.C., seeking court-ordered discovery to uncover the false and misleading information that may have led to mistaken prosecution in Thailand of Mr. Yim as well as his unwarranted identification to Congress as being associated with scam centers in Asia. 28 U.S.C. § 1782 (“1782”) provides powerful evidence-gathering remedies, permitting an applicant to obtain evidence in the United States to assist international proceedings. Seiden Law, a U.S. law firm with significant experience in 1782 cases, has filed this application to compel production of documents and sworn testimony from persons in the U.S. that will shed light on the circumstances surrounding recent actions against Mr. Yim. “Mr. Yim and his young family are the apparent victims of guilt by association and political persecution,” said Robert Seiden,
Sultan Bin Ahmed Attends Media Master's Graduation in Spain28.6.2026 18:40:00 CEST | Press release
His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah (UOS), attended on Friday, at the University of Barcelona, the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the Master of Science in Media Entrepreneurship and Digital Innovation programme, first of its kind, offered by the University of Sharjah's College of Communication in partnership with the University of Barcelona and with strategic support from Sharjah Media City (Shams). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260628429537/en/ Sultan Bin Ahmed attends Media Master's Graduation in Spain (Photo: AETOSWire) His Highness expressed his pride in their achievements and praised the strong partnership between the two universities, which share a commitment to knowledge, excellence and global understanding. His Highness stressed that graduation marks the beginning of a new journey rather than its con
VerSprite Launches Fork and Knife: AI-Driven Threat Modeling and Adversarial Testing Built for the Speed of Modern Software26.6.2026 23:28:00 CEST | Press release
Powered by the risk-centric PASTA methodology and two decades of accredited offensive security, the integrated platform lets enterprises threat model in a security sprint—then prove the risk through AI-led, human-on-the-loop testing. VerSprite, a global leader in risk-based threat modeling and the firm behind the PASTA (Process for Attack Simulation and Threat Analysis) methodology, today announced the general availability of Fork (www.forktm.com), a continuous application threat modeling platform, alongside Knife, an AI-led, human-on-the-loop adversarial testing platform for web applications and web API endpoints. Together, the two products operationalize a new model for product security—one where applications are securely designed, continuously modeled, and actively tested as part of the build process itself. The launch addresses a problem every security leader knows but few tools have solved: threat modeling is essential, never more so than in an AI-driven era, yet it has remained s
Venture Global Announces Closing of $1.5 Billion Senior Secured Vessel Financing Facility26.6.2026 22:30:00 CEST | Press release
Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Venture Global Shipping Holdings, LLC (“VGSH”), has entered into a Credit and Guaranty Agreement providing for a senior secured term loan facility (the “Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1,500,000,000. The Facility will mature on June 26, 2032. Deutsche Bank and ING acted as coordinating lead arrangers for the Facility. ING also serves as facility agent and security trustee. VGSH intends to use the net proceeds from the Facility for general corporate purposes, including to reimburse Venture Global LNG, Inc. for payments previously made by it or its affiliates in connection with the acquisition of nine LNG carriers, funding certain reserve accounts, and paying transaction fees and expenses. About Venture Global Venture Global is an American producer and exporter of low-cost U.S. liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) with over 100 MTPA of capacity in production, construction, or development. Ven
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom