⁍ About ten European nations are looking at antigen tests from either U.S firm Abbott or Swiss rival Roche and its partner SD Biosensor.

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⁍ Both antigen and PCR tests need a nasal swab.

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⁍ While PCR tests detect genetic material in the virus, antigen tests look for proteins on the virus’s surface.

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– Pandemic H1N1 testing is in short supply—so short, in fact, that 10 European countries are looking to buy millions of rapid tests mostly from Abbott and Roche, according to an EU document obtained by Reuters. Antigen tests, which look for proteins on the virus’ surface instead of genetic material, are a quicker alternative to the more common molecular PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing kits. Although less accurate, they can give results in minutes instead of the days sometimes needed for PCR tests—a difference that could help better trace cases and contain the pandemic. About ten European nations are looking at antigen tests from either US firm Abbott or Swiss rival Roche and its partner SD Biosensor, the document shows. Both antigen and PCR tests need a nasal swab, but while PCR tests detect genetic material in the virus, antigen tests look for proteins on the virus’ surface. Half a dozen of the 27 EU states already use antigen tests. Germany has said it has secured nine million testing kits a month from Abbott, Roche, and Siemens Healthineers, while the regional state of Bavaria has ordered another 10 million. Italy announced last week it was seeking to deploy 10 million tests in coming days. The US government said in August it had bought 150 million antigen tests from Abbott for use through December. Abbott said in October it had a monthly production capacity of 50 million antigen tests. Roche says it can manufacture up to 40 million antigen tests each month and aims to double its capacity by the end of the year.