The COVID-19 pandemic has brought much attention to the medical utility of rapid point-of-care (POC) tests and lateral flow assays. Although these assays are easy to use and provide quick diagnostic results at the point-of-care, the prevalence of false-positive and false-negative results has been one of the main limitations in their development.
To understand and improve the sensitivity and detection of rapid POC tests, researchers need to obtain insights into the critical components of lateral flow assay development. These components include IVDR/regulatory approvals, analyte and sample preparation, antibody selection, and detection chemistries.
This Expert Insights publication provides an overview of these components of lateral flow assay development. The studies and expert interview featured in this publication are intended to educate researchers on important considerations and strategies to enhance the design and development of rapid POC tests.