GS Plastic Optics to Produce Planar Waveguides for COVID-19 Rapid Tests

GS Plastic Optics (GSPO), a manufacturer of precision polymer optics, will produce optical components for a COVID-19 antibody testing platform developed by LightDeck Diagnostics, a diagnostic-testing company located in Boulder, Colo.

LightDeck introduced a novel screening platform capable of powering SARS-CoV-2 ultrarapid antigen and COVID-19 total antibody tests, providing results in as little as five minutes. It incorporates an engineered planar laser waveguide with a consumable cartridge into which a sample is dispensed for testing.

Through a partnership, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded LightDeck a $35.1 million contract in July to increase production capacity. According to GSPO, $5 million of that contract will be allocated to equipment and facilities expansion at the GSPO Rochester location.

An 8000-sq-ft expansion of the existing injection molding building will house additional presses, tooling, automation, and ancillary equipment dedicated to the production of the LightDeck waveguide. The funding will enable GSPO to support LightDeck’s increase in production capacity to 1 million waveguides per month by the fall of 2022.