Ontario invests $1.4M in manufacturing of viral transport solution for COVID-19 testing

The Ontario government is investing over $1.4 million in Mississauga-based Microbix Biosystems to expand production of COVID-19 testing supplies.

Microbix will make viral transport media, which is the solution used to preserve and transport a patient’s test specimen. This viral transport media will be used in COVID-19 patient sampling kits to support the province’s need for testing supplies and reduce the pressure on labs to assess variable international sources.

The company has expertise in manufacturing viral and bacterial antigens and reagents for the global diagnostics industry. Microbix will implement automated high-volume manufacturing for two important product categories: viral transport media at up to 60,000 units per day, and quality assessment products (QAPs) at up to 10,000 units per day.

QAPs emulate real patient samples, while being consistent, non-infectious and stable. They are used to conduct lab proficiency and accreditation programs, qualify new tests and instruments for use, help train lab technicians and to support the accuracy of test workflows at labs.

As part of this initiative, the company will create multiple new jobs.

Through the Ontario Together Fund, the government is investing in projects that will increase the province’s stockpile of Ontario-made products and PPE.