A SCOTTISH-BASED biotechnology firm will test hundreds of patient samples daily on behalf of the health service.
Censo Biotechnologies claims it will be the first firm in Scotland to provide direct Covid-19 testing support for the NHS.
It said NHS Scotland has accepted its offer to test a minimum of 15,000 samples per month for coronavirus.
The Edinburgh-based company has offered the use of their team and laboratory at Roslin, equipped with seven specialist machines for amplifying DNA.
Chief executive officer Mike Hawthorne said: "As soon as mass testing was recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), we knew we could offer significant support to deliver this.
"While we are continuing our existing research with a skeletal staff every available resource is being directed to the Covid-19 effort."
Censo Bio has offered the use of their 25-strong workforce of scientists to support NHS Scotland labs where possible.
The firm says it is ready to test as soon as the data handling logistics have been devised by NHS Scotland.
It also has a presence in Cambridge where it has donated PPE to Addenbrooke's Hospital, the main Covid-19 testing site for the area.
Hawthorne added: "We are also working on developing a potent anti-viral cell therapy that would work for any similar virus emerging in the future, something the WHO has warned will likely happen again.
"This therapy could potentially cure the infection in around 12 hours and while it won't be available in time for Covid-19 with enough funding and government input it is something that could be developed and stockpiled in readiness."
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: http://www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here