Unlike other threats to our national security, the COVID-19 pandemic is not to be fought by strength of arms or military might, it is fought on the front lines of medical advancement and innovation.

When the leaders of Spectrum Solutions learned that this new threat to America was heightened by a global shortage in testing supplies, they stood up and entered the fight by introducing a creative solution that not only changed the scope of how Americans and others around the world are tested for the virus, but also potentially how a wide variety of diseases are diagnosed in the future.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the gold standard for testing whether a person was infected with COVID-19 (and other similar viruses) involved a long nasopharyngeal (nasal) swab.

The often uncomfortable, if not outright painful procedure required a healthcare worker to insert what looks like a long “Q-tip” deep into the patient’s nasal cavity then twirling the swab to collect a sample of secretions from the uppermost part of the throat, behind the nose.

The worker then removes it (risking exposure to themselves, if they are not completely protected) and placing it in a vial.

The sample is then sent to a lab for testing.

With COVID-19, there were two critical problems with this approach:

1. This method of testing required a healthcare worker to be within close proximity to and have contact (via the swab) with potentially infected patients.

2. From the beginning of the pandemic, it was glaringly obvious that the global inventory of swabs and personal protective equipment (PPE) was in critical short supply, which stalled and stymied efforts for widespread testing.

Spectrum asked the question, “Can we use SALIVA to detect COVID-19 and eliminate the need for swabs all together?”

They partnered with Rutgers University to discover that the answer was indeed, “Yes we can!”

Rutgers used the Spectrum Solution SDNA-1000 saliva collection device to collect and preserve saliva samples.

That initial research into whether saliva was a viable detection method was validated and expanded up on by other universities and researchers.

(Utah-based Spectrum Solutions saliva collection device used in new COVID-19 testing. Courtesy of abc4utah and YouTube. Posted on Apr 6, 2020.)

Independent studies from industry-leading institutions like Rutgers, Yale, Princeton, Johns Hopkins, MD Anderson, Stanford, and many others from across the nation and around the world quickly poured in, each echoing support that saliva collected and preserved with Spectrum’s SDNA-1000 was a remarkable solution.

Studies included side-by-side tests to compare swabs and saliva.

Swabs continued to return false-negative results where saliva was able to consistently detect the very present infection the swab had missed.

When researchers compared the traditional swab COVID-19 testing method, they made some potentially far-reaching discoveries.

Their studies showed that saliva was, in fact, MORE sensitive to determining infection and brought an INCREASE in testing accuracy, especially in the very early stages of infection.

Key knowledge to have when every day an infected person goes undiagnosed, they continue the spread the virus to others unknowingly putting many at risk.

Swabs continued to return false-negative results where saliva was able to consistently detect the very present infection the swab had missed.

The FDA rapidly delivered the first Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for saliva-based COVID-19 testing to Rutgers University, with the provision that they were to exclusively use the SDNA-1000 saliva collection device to collect samples.

The device’s remarkable ease-of-use and performance secured an EUA expansion to include the FDA’s first approval for direct-to-patient at-home COVID-19 testing using saliva.

(How Does it Work? Engineered to significantly reduce user self-collection error, this technically superior saliva DNA/RNA collection and preservation device from Spectrum DNA is so intuitively-easy to use we couldn’t wait to share it with you. Courtesy of Spectrum Solutions and YouTube. Posted on Apr 12, 2020.)

Because of the product’s unique properties, the FDA’s authorization specifically requires all labs processing saliva-based COVID-19 tests under this authorization to solely use the SDNA-1000 for biosample collection.

Just a few weeks later, the FDA reached out to Spectrum requesting and providing support to process and deliver EUA authorization specifically on the SDNA-1000 saliva collection device itself.

This approval for Spectrum would be outside any already granted EUA delivered to any specific Lab or testing process.

The greatest significance of this singular device stamp of approval by the FDA was removing the restrictions that limited access for labs to the only saliva collection device that offers 100% live virus inactivation at room temperature, Spectrum’s SDNA-1000.

By working with all EUA authorized biosample collection and processing elements then validating results, labs were given the ability to immediately move forward with testing and not be required to file an individual testing EUA themselves which showed to bottleneck testing efficiency.

What makes the Spectrum Solutions SDNA-1000 Saliva Collection Device unique:\

• It must be understood that testing for COVID-19 is a two-part process.

  • The first part requires the collection of a viable biosample, which historically has been a painful nasal swab.

  • The second is the sample processing by a lab.

• Spectrum has delivered the world a new viral-testing solution by engineering a technically superior saliva collection device and discovering that it in fact works for both DNA and viral RNA molecular diagnostic applications.

• This amazing research pivot from DNA, in fact demonstrated the devices unique ability to additionally protect, preserve, and deliver 100% inactivation the live virus from collected samples.

  • The Spectrum SDNA-1000 is the only device that can do this!

  • Whereas any number of labs can process tests.

• Spectrum preservation and sample stability have been proven to enable testing viability 14-days post collection.

  • Without a biosample collected and properly preserved for transport to the lab, there is no accurate testing.

• In a collected saliva sample that is not preserved, Human DNA/viral RNA will immediately begin to degrade continuing over time, resulting in inaccurate test results.

• The patented preservation solution:

  • Maintains sample integrity by eliminating bacterial contamination that can compromise test results

• • Stabilizes DNA and the fragile viral RNA that is required for COVID-19 testing

  • Stabilizes and suspends the entire sample for shipping and transport over long distances and at extreme temperatures for over 14 days

  • Delivers 100% inactivation of the live virus once cap is secured and solution is mixed.

  • This reduces risk of exposure to anyone who handles the samples downstream including transport, medical, clinical lab staff, and so on

• Painless to use:

  • Swabs are painful, spitting in a tube is not.

  • Spectrum innovation has engineered a way to not only replace the painful swab with the pain-free collection of saliva it has done this while protecting everyone involved from additional exposure risks by killing the live virus.

  • Using the painful swabs is a serious issue for many adults not to mention children or those living with special needs.

  • Repeated testing is necessary—gone are the one-and-done tests.

    • COVID-19 introduced us all to the need of repeated testing often on a weekly or even daily basis.

• Engineered to be extremely easy to use:

  • First-ever saliva collection device FDA authorized for COVID-19 testing

• • First-ever saliva collection device FDA cleared for at-home use for COVID-19 testing

  • Simple and intuitive illustration-based instructions with clear pictures and large writing coupled with a “Spit to Here” line make it very easy to use correctly.

  • Just spit in a tube, secure the cap, and shake. Visual conformation is delivered that the test has been done correctly as well as killed the live virus when the blue solution fills the tube.

  • Saliva samples can be collected without the direct assistance of a medical worker, reducing risks of virus exposure

  • 100% Made in America

Spectrum Solutions is an example of American ingenuity at its finest.

A single simple, SALIVA-based solution finally offers desperate families and a frightened nation the ability to provide pain-free, at-home testing access for everyone, including our most vulnerable population, including the elderly and individuals living with special needs.

“This is it. This is what makes America so great,” said Bill Phillips, Spectrum’s chief operating officer.

“Challenge and adversity throw up roadblocks and we partner together to discover, and deliver, not only an answer to the supply shortage for sample collection but uncover a solution that is actually better than what we were using in the first place.”

To Learn More about saliva testing from Spectrum Solutions, please visit spectrumsolution.com/spectrum-dna/.

Spectrum Solutions to Compete in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

American Security Today is pleased to announce that Deann Criswell, the NYC Emergency Management Commissioner will deliver the keynote address at the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon Banquet in New York City.

90% of ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners return to compete in the Annual ‘ASTORS‘ Homeland Security Awards Program, and 100% of ‘ASTORS’ Sponsors have returned year to year to reap the benefits of their participation in the industry’s largest and most comprehensive Annual Awards Program.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	And Many Others!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.

As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program surpassed expectations with a record number of nominations received from industry leaders and government agencies, and drew over 200 attendees to the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Banquet – an exclusive gourmet luncheon and networking opportunity which filled to capacity, before having to turn away late registrants.

The event featured an impassioned and compelling keynote address by William J. Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD) twice, the Boston Police Department (BPD), and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as he walked attendees through 50 years of American policing history, the impacts on the communities, and the evolution of critical communication capabilities in our post 9/11 landscape.

Commissioner Bratton, one of the world’s most respected and trusted experts on risk and security issues and Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk a global advisory firm, was recognized as the ‘2019 ‘ASTORS’ Person of the Year’ for his Lifetime of Dedication and Extraordinary Leadership in Homeland Security and Public Safety.

The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, and SWORD Technologies, every one a returning Sponsor from 2018.

Why the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?

American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’

Over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included: 

• The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
• United States Marine Corps
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• United States Postal Inspection Service
• DHS S&T 
• United States Marshals Service (USMS)
• The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police (PAPD)
• The Department of Justice (DOJ)
• The New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (NYS DHSES)
• United States Border Patrol
• AlertMedia, Ameristar Perimeter Security, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Bellevue University, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., CornellCookson, Drone Aviation, FLIR Systems, Hanwha Techwin, HID Global, IPVideo Corp., Konica Minolta Business Solutions, LenelS2, ManTech, Regroup Mass Notifications, SafeLogic, SolarWinds, Senstar, ShotSpotter, Smiths Detection, TCOM LP, Trackforce, Verint, and More!

From innovative Military Cyber Programs, to Local, State and Federal Public Safety and Emergency Management Initiatives, New Physical and IT Products and Services, and Security Professional, Threat Assessment, Emergency Preparedness, Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Education and Training Opportunities – Join your ‘ASTORS’ Award-Winning Peers and Receive the Recognition You Deserve!

Excellence in Public Safety and Government Security Award Nominations are also encouraged, such as those 2019 Honored Winners which includes the DEA, U.S. Marine Corps, DHS S&T, Federal Protective Service, DHS S&T NUSTL, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, The Port Authority of NY/NJ, and the NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services.

Individuals are also encouraged to be nominated for Government Excellence in Public Safety and Homeland Security such as last years widely respected recipients.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please go to the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Championship Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2019 ‘A Year in Review’.

The ‘ASTORS’ Champion Edition is published annually and includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.

It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2019 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitgate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

Engineered to eliminate biosample collection errors, Spectrum DNA’s technically superior whole saliva collection devices do just that.

Don’t let a saliva collection device hold your project hostage to endless workarounds.

Integrate a better biosample collection option at a more affordable price point with Spectrum DNA.

To Learn More about saliva testing from Spectrum Solutions, please visit spectrumsolution.com/spectrum-dna/.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

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Learn More…

New COVID-19 Saliva Test Could be Game Changer, Limiting Exposure