Lucence, A*STAR Share Study Data Showing SAFER™ Sample Saliva Collection Kit for COVID-19 Inactivates Collected Virus
16.6.2020 13:00:00 EEST | 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 Specimen Collection Kit (Photo: Business Wire)
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
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200616005320/en/
Contact information
Lucence Media Contact
Gabriel Yap
media@lucence.com
A*STAR Media Contact
Ms. Lynn Hong
hongxl@hq.a-star.edu.sg
+65 6419 6597
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
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
EcoOnline Recognised as a Leader in Verdantix Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2026 for Third Time21.9.2026 19:43:00 EEST | Press release
EcoOnline, the global provider of software that transforms how organisations protect people and the planet, has been recognised for the third consecutive time as a Leader in the independent Verdantix Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2026 report, with market-leading strength in Safety Management. The assessment evaluated leading vendors of environmental, health and safety software vendors across a range of capabilities and customer buying signals. Verdantix recognised EcoOnline’s strength in the areas organisations rely on to protect workers every day: Safety Management, Chemicals Management, AI-enabled Training and Contractor Safety. It reflects the changing needs of EHS buyers, who are increasingly looking for integrated platforms that connect everyday safety with broader operational risk and crisis preparedness. EcoOnline achieved the highest score for Safety Management, reflecting the breadth of the platform’s capabilities across the processes organisations use to identify, mitigate, ma
rhode Announces the Return of Limited Edition Favorites and New Exclusives at Sephora Across Europe and the U.K.21.9.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
rhode, the beauty brand founded by Hailey Rhode Bieber and part of e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF), has announced that two community-favorite Peptide Lip Tints and a new Sephora-exclusive bag will launch at Sephora across Europe and the U.K. to celebrate the brand’s launch into Sephora in Europe on September 30, 2026. These items will join the brand’s assortment of high-performance skincare and hybrid makeup. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260921199856/en/ rhode announces the return of limited edition favorites and new exclusives at Sephora across Europe and the U.K. To mark the occasion with Sephora across Europe and the U.K., rhode is offering early access to purchase fan-favorite, previously limited edition Peptide Lip Tint in Pretzel at Sephora in Europe and the U.K. on the brand’s launch date September 30, before the product joins rhode’s permanent assortment globally on rhodeskin.com on October 1 and at all r
Pierre Le Manh to Step Down as PMI President and CEO21.9.2026 15:45:00 EEST | Press release
Project Management Institute (PMI), the leading authority in project management, today announced that Pierre Le Manh has decided to step down as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 30, 2026. Johannes Heinlein, Chief Growth Officer, has been appointed Interim President & Chief Executive Officer of PMI, also effective September 30, 2026. Pierre Le Manh joined PMI in September 2022. During his four-year tenure, he led the development and execution of PMI’s current strategy, strengthened its leadership team, expanded its capabilities through acquisitions and partnerships, and positioned PMI for a profession being rapidly transformed by artificial intelligence and a greater focus on project success. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Pierre Le Manh for his leadership and his commitment to PMI,” said Ike Nwankwo, Chair of the PMI Board of Directors. “PMI has a clear strategy, a strong leadership team and significant momentum. Pierre leaves the organization well p
Lenovo and Schneider Electric Partner to Bring Decarbonization Tools and Expertise to IT Channel Partners21.9.2026 15:10:00 EEST | Press release
Lenovo today announced that Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, will join Lenovo 360 Circle as a strategic ally to bring decarbonization expertise and management tools directly to IT channel partners. Lenovo 360 Circle is Lenovo’s global sustainability community, bringing together channel partners worldwide to collaborate on shared challenges, accelerate sustainability transformation, and turn sustainability ambitions into business opportunities. Through its Allyship program, Lenovo 360 Circle connects partners with leading technology and industry organizations to enable collaboration and provide access to specialized expertise that helps partners accelerate their sustainability goals. As its newest strategic ally, Schneider Electric will bring its Decarbonization Champion initiative to the community, giving eligible members access to carbon management tools and hands-on support from Schneider Electric Advisory Services specialists to measure their emissions, identif
Serbian Biotech Startup Takes Its Journey from Belgrade to Cambridge with Documentary on Longevity Science21.9.2026 14:02:00 EEST | Press release
BioEridan, a Serbian biotechnology startup backed by Telekom Srbija Group’s TS Ventures Fund, has premiered a new documentary showcasing its development of underwater Aquafarms and its ambition to contribute to the next generation of longevity science. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260921345879/en/ BioEridan Documentary Premiere BioEridan: Science Beneath the Surface premiered in Belgrade on September 15 before being screened the following day at a UK-Serbia Health, Digital Transformation & Innovation roundtable held at Christ’s College, University of Cambridge, as part of Cambridge Tech Week 2026. The roundtable brought together prominent representatives from the UK and Serbia across science, healthcare, technology, academia and business to discuss opportunities for collaboration, innovation and the commercialisation of scientific research. The documentary follows BioEridan’s development from an early scien
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