Quick Hits: Gates Foundation is Distributing At-Home Virus Tests

The Gates Foundation is leveraging an existing program developed to track the spread of influenza.

Mar 17th, 2020

Seattle

Seattle likely has the largest outbreak of coronavirus cases in the U.S. Seattle residents concerned about whether or not they’ve contracted coronavirus will soon find answers. According to a recent GeekWire article, the Gates Foundation has announced it will be distributing at-home nose swabs to test for the virus. Recipients can use the kits at home and send their swabs to health officials who will provide results within 48 hours. The launch date for the program has yet to be announced, but the foundation is working to finalize software and questionnaires. The Gates Foundation also pledged $5 million to help detection efforts in and around Seattle.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Quick Hits: University of Pittsburgh Develops Promising COVID-19 Vaccine

The team had previous experience fighting similar viruses in 2003 and 2014.

EXPO PACK México Canceled Amid COVID-19 Concerns

EXPO PACK México Canceled Amid COVID-19 Concerns

UnPACKED with PMMI podcast: CPGs need to face fears over remote monitoring.

OEM COVID-19 #6: Overcoming Hesitations Around Remote Access

UnPACKED with PMMI podcast shines a light on the safe use of remote monitoring

Quick Hits: New Device Disinfects N95 Masks

A new device that rapidly disinfects medical masks aims to alleviate current mask shortages.

Mobile robots use ultraviolet light to disinfect hospitals and other facilities.

COVID-19 Provides Use Cases for Mobile Robotics

Robots can tackle the three Ds they are known for to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. Mobile robots are suited to disinfecting facilities, providing surveillance, and delivering goods.

Pancreas Cancer Cells

Quick Hits: 50-in-1 Blood Test Detects Cancer Early

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have developed a new blood test that detects cancerous tumor DNA.

Running Exoskeleton

Quick Hits: Hate Running? New Exoskeleton Aims to Help

Engineers have created a motor-powered system that straps to legs to make running easier.

Recreational and medical cannabis deemed essential to cope with 'stay-at-home' orders.

Cannabis and the Coronavirus

Medical and recreational cannabis growers and retailers deemed essential services to help Americans cope with “stay-at-home” orders.

Excellence In Reusable Packaging Award

Call for Applications: 2020 Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award

The Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) announced the opening of the application period for the 9th annual Excellence in Reusable Packaging Award.

Quick Hits: New Device Sterilizes Inhaled Air

ProtectivAir uses UVc light to clean air and protect users against airborne pathogens including COVID-19.

Screen Shot 2020 03 30 At 2 59 06 Pm

COVID-19 Survey: Early Results Reflect CPGs' Current Resolve, Future Uncertainty

Responses indicate that companies producing packaged goods tend to be “So far, so good, all things considered” as one phrased it, and supply chains remain intact. But when asked to forecast into the future, there's far less consensus.

Anne Marie Mohan, Editor, Contract Packaging magazine

CBD: Cooperation to Outdo Competition

At the CPA 2020 Annual Meeting, Bruce Bernstein, President of UBIX Processing, talks about the opportunities for CPGs and contract packagers in the growing CBD market.

An Appeal to Support Our Essential Services and Critical Infrastructure Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic is proving to be a tremendous global challenge that we must work together to defeat. Now, our essential and critical workers are being relied upon to provide the services we expect every day and we must do everything to support them.

Quick Hits: Lung Removed, Cleaned, & Returned to Body

A new surgical procedure in Israel could revolutionize the way cancers are treated.

HR Pharmaceuticals won an FPA silver award for EcoVue by Glenroy. It is a flexible package for ultrasound gel featuring custom film requiring less energy to manufacture and transport.

Ultrasound Gel Pouch Gets Ergonomic Design, Reduces Waste

Designed to be easy to hold and evacuate more product, this multilayer spouted pouch replaces the traditional bottle while requiring less energy to manufacture and transport.

Dictum Telehealth

Telehealth, Home Devices Help Increase Bed Capacity in Hospitals

As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread, there is a growing need for remote monitoring of other types of patients. See how senior living centers are implementing this Virtual Exam Room.

COVID-19’s Impact on the Canadian Market

OEM COVID-19 #5: BellatRx & Mpac Langen

UnPACKED with PMMI podcast with Canadian OEMs highlights communication early and often.

India cuts ties with Chinese APIs

Quick Hits: India Weans Itself off Chinese APIs

India is investing $1.3B to decrease its dependence on Chinese APIs amid supply concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Mask Prototypes

Second Life: Sterile Wrap Fashioned into Masks

An anesthesiology professor has developed masks from surgical tray wrap that cannot be penetrated by water or bacteria and block 99.9% of particles. Prototypes are underway.

Getty Images 82633841

Why Women are Under-Represented in the C-Suite

If companies with more women in leadership roles have greater innovation, increased productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and higher employee retention, why are there so few in the C suite?

More in Home

Quick Hits: Tesla Starts Making Medical Devices

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company will manufacture ventilators in case of a shortage.

Flexible Packaging for Infinite CBD Gummies

Popularity of Cannabis Formats Evolving, Packaging Follows Suit

Dried flower is giving way to creams, gels, dried teas/powders and inhalers, products that doubled in growth in two years’ time. Packaging for cannabis is expanding to meet this growth.

Quick Hits: Costume Designers Shift Production to Make Medical Masks

The costume design industry has gotten involved to address the shortage of medical supplies amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Sejla is a Sales, Business Development, and Project Management professional with over a decade of experience at Formulated Solutions.

Sejla Repetti Promoted to Vice President of Commercial Development, Formulated Solutions

New VP expected to strategically develop partnerships in Brand Partners.

Dave Jacek, additive manufacturing technician, oversees production of 3D-printed disposable respirator mask prototypes at Ford's Advanced Manufacturing Center.

Ford Motor Drives COVID-19 Medical Mission

Responding to the Coronavirus crisis, the automotive manufacturer teams up with 3M and GE Healthcare to expand production of much-needed medical equipment.

Gettyimages 107907121 2

PPE and Device Manufacturers: FDA Offers Import Instructions

To increase U.S. supplies, FDA is providing instructions and a specific email address to get questions and concerns addressed quickly.

Thermoformer Steps Up to Fight COVID-19

Screen Shot 2020 03 24 At 10 48 34 Am

Packaging and Processing Industry COVID-19 Resources

PMMI collated resources for the industry to navigate business in uncertain times.

Getty Images 1127072463

All Roads Lead to Delay in the Time of COVID-19

Land, sea or air – the supply chain is being hard hit by shortages, delays, rising costs and lack of workers due to the coronavirus.

At-Home Diagnostics Tests

Quick Hits: Diagnostic Startup Launches At-Home Coronavirus Kit

Secure results will be available online within 48 hours, and patients who test positive will be connected with physicians.

Fda Stock Photo

FDA Town Halls on COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests

The FDA is working to support the expansion of safe and accurate COVID-19 testing, while monitoring for counterfeit tests such as those seized at LAX. As companies move quickly, brand protection should not be overlooked.

Musings on Sustainability

Read what Jim Chrzan, VP of Content & Brand Strategy at PMMI Media Group, and Sean Riley, PMMI’s Senior Director of Media & Industry Communications, had to say about the state of sustainability during a lively conversation at the show earlier this month.