K-One ventures into nasal swabs manufacturing business

Technology solutions provider K-One Technology Bhd is venturing into the manufacturing of nasal swabs business, which are used to collect fluid specimen from the back of the nasal cavity.

The nasal swab would then be placed into a vial that contains a culture medium before it is transported to a laboratory for the testing of COVID-19.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia today, the company said it had placed orders with a reputable United States-based 3D printing technology developer and manufacturer to supply a 3D printer for the purpose of 3D printing the nasal swabs.

“The US-based 3D technology developer and manufacturer, working in collaboration with American healthcare providers, have received the Food and Drug Administration Class 1 Exempt status for their nasal swabs design.

“The former is currently supplying these healthcare providers,” said K-One.

Nasal Swabs are typically manufactured using injection molding and flocking, which includes tufts of polyester material attached to the end of a plastic shaft.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an overdrive in demand which impacted supply.

Hence, healthcare professionals are turning to 3D printed nasal swabs, it said.

K-One said the pilot project for the manufacturing of the specific nasal swab would be commence this month.

“As nasal swab is considered a medical device, it will be subjected to getting the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities of the subject country.

“For the US, the subject nasal swab has already received FDA Class 1 Exempt status, while for Malaysia, it would include amongst others, approval from the Medical Device Authority under the Ministry of Health,” it added.

Source: Bernama