Medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:BDX) on Tuesday unveiled a new point-of-care test that can detect antibodies in blood to confirm current or past exposure to COVID-19 in as little as 15 minutes, in partnership with BioMedomics.

The rapid serology test, which detects exposure to COVID-19 at the point of care in 15 minutes, is completed in four simple steps. The new test, developed and manufactured by BioMedomics, will be available through BD and distributed exclusively by Henry Schein Inc in the US.

According to the partnership, the test does not require special equipment and may be used in a laboratory or at the point of care. The test detects antibodies in the blood that are produced by the body in response to coronavirus infection. These antibodies are typically present in the middle to later stages of COVID-19 infection, but may remain present after exposure, which helps clinicians determine who has been exposed to the coronavirus, even if a person didn't exhibit any symptoms of the COVID-19 disease.

Though the test has not been reviewed by the FDA, it is permitted for distribution and use under the public health emergency guidance issued by FDA on 16 March 2020. BD expects to begin shipping tests in April and supply one million tests over the coming months.