The BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card [Image courtesy of Abbott]
Abbott (NYSE:ABT) was among a series of medtech companies to receive recognition from TIME in its list of 2021’s best inventions.
The list of the year’s top inventions included Abbott’s innovations twice, with a nod to its NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic and its at-home COVID-19 testing offerings.
NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic allows physicians to speak to patients over a video app and to remotely adjust Abbott’s implanted neuromodulation devices. The platform won FDA approval in March and Time reported that the company plans to expand availability of NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic soon.
Abbott’s BinaxNOW was one of several at-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests to receive a mention from Time as the news organization recognized the tests for aiding in efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.
In a post on LinkedIn, Abbott’s official page wrote: “We strive to create technology that helps people live their best lives through good health. This year, TIME is recognizing both our BinaxNOW COVID-19 test and our NeuroSphere Virtual Clinic in their 100 Best Inventions.”
Ellume and Acon were two other companies to receive a mention for their at-home tests, with the U.S. government pledging a lot of money to increase the manufacturing of such tests. However, Ellume’s test has come under some scrutiny amid reports of false-positive results and the FDA last week expanded a recall to include more than 2 million tests.
Another COVID-19-related innovation recognized by Time was the many versions of the COVID-19 vaccine, which first received FDA emergency use authorization in 2020 but has seen the bulk of its rollout both in the U.S. and globally during 2021. Vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson have been authorized in the U.S., while the AstraZeneca/Oxford has seen authorization in Europe and many more remain in development as vaccinations and booster shots continue to be administered.
The list recognized a less-publicized vaccine development with the malaria vaccine developed by Mosquirix. RTS, S/AS01, a recombinant protein-based malaria vaccine, last month received an endorsement from the World Health Organization for “broad use” in children.
Time also recognized the Linus Health DCTclock, a mobile application platform that uses smartphone or tablet sensors to collect various measures of patients’ cognitive and motor functions for early detection purposes.