Founded in Stockholm, Sweden, in April 2020, as a direct response to the unprecedented challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, we at ABC Labs set out to establish rapidly scalable, state-of-the-art PCR and ELISA testing. As a crucial player in flattening the curve and saving lives, these tests continue to be our focus.
We currently analyze thousands of tests daily for both the Public Health Agency of Sweden and a number of regional and private healthcare providers. By creating affordable, accessible, readily available testing, we remain among the largest private actors supporting the Swedish strategy.
Tackling society-threatening diseases requires convenient, accessible testing and screening. Once the pandemic subsides, we intend to utilize our infrastructure to provide cost-effective essential diagnostics at scale for care providers, employers, and policymakers.
Radical Transparency
We create user-friendly sampling flows, constant connectivity between lab, care provider, and patient, and radical transparency regarding quality and efficiency.
Founded by Per Båtelson, Ahsan Amjad, Ola Winqvist, Maria Rankka, and Johannes Schildt, ABC Labs conducts all testing at a state-of-the-art lab at Biomedicum on Campus Solna.
A Laboratory For The Future
By challenging industry standards, we strive to become a leading and highly trusted European center for disease and pandemic management. From here on, we come prepared.
*the film was made in the spring of 2020 shortly after ABC was founded
Test Portfolio
We are a full-service SARS-CoV-2 laboratory offering state-of-the-art automated assays for the detection of virus RNA, immune responses with specific IgG/IgA/IgM immunoglobulins against the nucleocapsid and the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2. We analyze spike protein specific T cell recognition to evaluate T cell memory and vaccine response.
A positive test result indicates that the patient is infected with SARS-CoV-2. Laboratory test results should always be considered in the context of clinical observations and epidemiologic data in making a final diagnosis.
A negative test result suggests that the patient is not infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the time of testing. This can also depend on the stage of the covid-19 infection or /and the quality of the collected sample.
An invalid test result suggests that the patient may have a very low amount of viral nucleic acid present in the sample that does not reach the threshold to be considered positive by the assay. Repeat the testing with a new sample, if clinically indicated.
To qualitative (nucleokapsid -(N) or spike protein receptor binding domain (S1/RBD)) or quantitative (S1/RBD) detect antibodies (ab) of class IgG against SARS-CoV-2 proteins (nucleocapsid protein – (N) or spike protein receptor binding domain (S1/RBD)). To detect an immune response after covid-19 infection (N, S1/RBD, ab) (2-4 weeks after covid-19) or an immune response after vaccination (S1/RBD, ab) (2 doses of vaccine and after 3weeks).
Specimen type:
Whole blood in serum tube
Whole Blood in Capitainer qDBS-card
Collection container/tube:
Serum tube with gel and coagulation activator, tube size 5 ml
Quantitative (U/mL): Negative / Low Positive / Medium Positive / High Positive
Qualitative: Positive / Negative
A positive result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 antibodies of class IgG are detected. It suggests a prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 (N-, S1/RBD- IgG, ab).
An increase in IgG levels against the spike protein (S1/RBD-IgG, ab) supports also an adequate vaccination response. The current vaccines in Sweden (Astra-Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer BioNTech) create antibodies against only the spike protein.
The capitainer qDBS cards can detect antibodies against the spike protein receptor binding domain (S1/RBD)
A negative antibody test result suggests no previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2. However, a negative antibody test may be the result if an individual gets tested too soon after exposure or if the sample is from a immunocompromised individual. In addition, a small proportion of previously infected individuals may not produce antibodies following infection.
The tests satisfy Folkhälsomyndighetens criteria according to Vägledning för antikroppspåvisning.
SARS-CoV-2 T cell EliSpot
Method name:
Enzyme-linked immunospot (EliSpot)
T-cells from individuals are incubated with pool peptides from SARS-CoV-2 as well as control stimuli. The number of T-cell clones that are activated to release IFN-γ are detected by capture antibody, developed and enumerated.
Used:
To detect Spike antigen specific T-cell reactivity in order to identify T-cell memory after infection or to verify response to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2.
A positive result indicates recognition of SARS-CoV-2 peptides from T-cells as a sign of memory T-cell activation after an infection or after vaccination.
A negative result suggests no previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and no recognizable T-cells response.
To identify the different SARS-CoV-2 variants including variants of concerns (VOCs), such as Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1), Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529). VOCs are associated with increased transmissibility or even disease severity, possible impact on molecular diagnostic assays, possible reduced neutralization by antibodies from previous infection or vaccination, and reduced efficacy of monoclonal antibody therapy.
For monitoring of contact tracing and enhancing public health control measures.
Specimen:
Pure RNA
Specimen volume:
8.5 uL
Release time of the test result:
3-4 days
Interpretation:
SARS-CoV-2 variants get a final PANGO-lineage classification determined by the Pangolin (Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak LINeages) software.
An invalid result indicates poor sequence quality resulting from the presence of inhibitors and/or a low amount of the virus present in the sample or the viral genome may only have been present in a fragmented state.
Our Team
Ahsan Amjad
CEO & Board Member
Erik Lindblad
Chief Technology Officer
Frida Siwe
Chief Financial Officer
Maria Rankka
Chief Strategy Officer & Board Member
Ola Winqvist
Medical Director & Chief Scientific Advisor
Per Båtelson
Executive
Ola Winqvist
Professor of Clinical Immunology
Per Båtelson
Serial healthcare entrepreneur
Maria Rankka
Former CEO of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce
Ahsan Amjad
Medtech investor
Johannes Schildt
Medtech investor
External investors:
Norrsken Foundation
A Consortium Consisting Of:
Carl Manneh, Tham Family Foundation, Karl Perlhagen, Patrick Söderlund, Rustan Panday, Michaela Berglund, Johan Brenner, John Hedberg & Petter Samlin.