Co-Diagnostics (Co-Dx), a molecular diagnostics company, has officially opened a new manufacturing facility in South Salt Lake, Utah, in the US.

Located at 3222 S. Washington Street, the facility is expected to bring quality polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (molecular) testing to homes as well as point-of-care settings. It is expected to create an additional 400 jobs.

The facility is equipped to produce the Co-Dx Pro instrument and test cups for the new Co-Dx PCR platform, along with the company's patented Co-Primers chemistry.

Co-Diagnostics’ new Co-Dx PCR platform is designed to provide results for Covid-19, influenza, RSV, tuberculosis and HPV in around 30 minutes.

The platform includes the PCR Home, PCR Pro, a mobile app and all associated tests. It is due to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or other regulatory bodies.

Currently, the Co-Dx PCR Pro instrument and Co-Dx Covid-19 Test are under review by the FDA.

Co-Dx CEO Dwight Egan said: “This new facility represents a significant step towards establishing Co-Diagnostics as a key player both in the local community, and also on the international stage as we pursue our mission of closing the access gap to high-quality, equitable diagnostics that exists around the world.

“We are pleased with the work that our team has put into bringing this facility online and grateful for the support of Mayor Wood and other community leaders.”

Last year, Co-Diagnostics secured a $8.97m grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support its tuberculosis (TB) test designed to run on the Co-Dx PCR platform.

The grant will help improve and extend these assets to meet the expected testing demand when the Co-Dx PCR platform and the associated TB test become available.