US-based life sciences firm Laboratory Corporation or Labcorp has launched an at-home collection kit through Labcorp OnDemand to measure diabetes risk.
The kit is intended to detect the level of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) from a small blood sample.
According to the firm, the OnDemand Diabetes Risk test uses dried blood technology to provide the body’s average blood sugar levels over time.
It will enable the users to monitor their health condition on a frequent basis from the comfort of their own homes with just a prick of the finger and a few drops of blood.
Labcorp has installed collecting equipment, made by biofluid collection devices maker Weavr Health, to make the sample collection process easier.
Labcorp is also the first and only laboratory in New York State to be approved by the New York State Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program for testing using the Weavr Velvet blood collection system.
The Weavr Velvet device distinguishes between plasma and red blood cells, allowing for a more thorough and complicated study of the sample.
It aims to keep the sample enclosed, safe, and stable for transportation and testing. The equipment is collected and returned to Labcorp by prepaid FedEx package, said the company.
Labcorp Diagnostics chief medical officer and president Dr Brian Caveney said: “Diabetes is a serious disease affecting millions of people in the United States.
“Our Labcorp OnDemand Diabetes Risk Test at-home collection kit now makes it easier for consumers to understand their diabetes risk and health status using an innovative and approved collection device.
“This test offers a convenient way for more people to manage their health and stay informed, so they can seek treatment that may lead to better health outcomes.”
When compared to results from a standard blood draw, results from samples obtained by the Weavr Velvet device are over 97% accurate, according to a recent research published in Clinical Chemistry.
