Empower Clinics Inc (CSE:CBDT) (OTCQB:EPWCF) (FRA:8EC), an integrated healthcare company, announced on Thursday the successful launch of its saliva-based COVID-19 reverse transcription PCR (KAI Saliva PCR Test), with an initial soft launch of 5,000 units sold out.
The Vancouver-based company said it is now focused on an order for 25,000 additional units with a sales value of around $5.5 million.
The group noted that the initial demand for KAI Saliva Tests stemmed from its existing customers in the film and television industry, the commercial sector, and concierge testing supported by its Sun Valley Health subsidiary in Arizona.
READ: Empower Clinics KAI Medical Lab to launch FDA-approved saliva-based COVID-19 test on December 15
“Given the early and significant success of KAI Saliva since its launch on December 15, 2020, Empower is extremely confident in the continued success of KAI Saliva with both existing and expanded commercial customers in this next run,” said the company.
The next milestone is the pending launch of the company’s home-based KAI Saliva Test, using its new platform www.kaitests.com. The platform will enable individuals and businesses to order the test kit online, have it shipped to them for simple specimen collection, then returned to the KAI Medical Laboratory for processing and the provision of test results.
The power of the saliva test is in its simplicity. According to the company, users merely spit into a funnel, then close the funnel with a lid containing a liquid to be mixed with the saliva by simply shaking it for five seconds. The test does not require a medical technician for specimen collection. The specimen is then returned to KAI Medical Labs from anywhere in the country for processing. KAI will analyze and provide a response within 24 hours through its HIPAA-compliant IT system, said the company.
The simplicity of use, yet sophistication in processing and responding within 24 hours represents a viable solution for the new travel policy instituted by the Canadian government and serves as the basis for discussions that are now underway with major Canadian airlines and other travel and hospitality industry players, said the company.
Specifically, every traveller to Canada over the age of five, including Canadians returning from vacation, must show a negative COVID test result from a PCR or RT-LAMP test administered in the 72 hours before their flight’s departure. The test must be conducted in the flight’s country of origin. KAI Saliva is able to provide travellers with the ability to purchase a PCR test prior to leaving for vacation, self-administer the non-invasive specimen collection from their travel destination 72 hours prior to returning to Canada and receive a result prior to departure.
Foreign travelers to Canada using a major Canadian airline can order KAI Saliva directly to their home almost anywhere in the world and go through the same process. It can be sent to travellers coming from many South American, Caribbean and European countries, said the company.
In a statement, Empower Clinics CEO Steven McAuley said: “These are unique and exciting times for our company where explosive growth is upon us in so many different ways.”
“Having our strong cash position allows us to invest in important initiatives, hire staff and expand services in major markets to meet the demand that is coming to us every day. Our moves to become an integrated healthcare company are really starting to pay off and it’s evident the market is supporting our developments and path forward.”
Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com
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