Origins of ASSURE-100: Hawaii’s Breakthrough COVID-19 Test
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world needed fast, accurate, and accessible testing to detect and contain the spread of the virus. In Hawaii, a state deeply affected by the pandemic due to its reliance on tourism, scientists and researchers at Oceanit worked to develop an innovative diagnostic tool that would revolutionize rapid testing. That effort led to the creation of the ASSURE-100 Rapid COVID-19 Test, a game-changing technology developed by Oceanit, a Hawaii-based innovation company.
This article explores the origins of the ASSURE-100 test, its development in Hawaii, and how it became a vital tool in COVID-19 detection and prevention. Rapid tests remain a vital tool to protect your family and loved ones during seasonal surges of COVID-19. Be sure to stock your medicine cabinet with market-leading ASSURE-100 rapid tests this season.
1. Why Was the ASSURE-100 Test Developed?
Hawaii’s unique geographic and economic situation made COVID-19 testing essential for public health and economic recovery.
- As a tourism hub, Hawaii needed widespread, reliable testing to screen travelers and prevent outbreaks.
- Early in the pandemic, testing delays and supply shortages created a demand for faster, on-site testing solutions.
- Traditional PCR tests were slow, often taking days to return results—delaying crucial isolation measures.
Recognizing these challenges, Oceanit, a Hawaii-based technology and engineering firm, set out to develop an efficient, scalable, and cost-effective testing solution.
2. What Makes the ASSURE-100 Test Different?
The ASSURE-100 Rapid COVID-19 Test was designed to offer the speed of an antigen test with the accuracy of PCR technology.
✔️ Fast Results: Provides accurate results in under 20 minutes. ✔️ Highly Sensitive Detection: Uses AI-driven molecular diagnostics for improved accuracy. ✔️ No Need for Lab Processing: Unlike PCR tests, ASSURE-100 does not require specialized lab equipment. ✔️ Portable & Scalable: Can be deployed for mass testing at airports, schools, and workplaces. ✔️ FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA): Approved for widespread use in medical and public settings.
The ASSURE-100’s rapid molecular detection technology made it a breakthrough solution, bridging the gap between PCR accuracy and rapid test convenience. It outperformed competitor offerings in sensitivity, meaning it can detect the virus sooner and enables the user to seek help or isolate more quickly.
3. How Was the ASSURE-100 Test Developed?
The development of ASSURE-100 was led by Oceanit’s multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
🔬 Phase 1: Research & Development (2020-2021)
- Oceanit leveraged its expertise in nanotechnology and molecular diagnostics to create a next-generation rapid test.
- Researchers focused on developing a more sensitive, AI-powered detection method.
- The AI model was actually an ongoing cancer research tool that Oceanit scientists had been working on in the years before the pandemic.
🛠 Phase 2: Prototyping & Testing (2021-2022)
- Early prototypes were tested at Hawaii’s airports, clinics, and local communities.
- ASSURE-100 first started out as a saliva test, but it turns out that not all people can produce saliva on-demand, especially older people or those with pre-existing conditions.
- The test was refined to ensure high sensitivity to multiple COVID-19 variants.
📜 Phase 3: FDA Authorization & Mass Deployment (2023-Present)
- The ASSURE-100 test received FDA EUA, allowing it to be used in hospitals, schools, and businesses.
- It is now widely available for travel screening, public health monitoring, and at-home use.
(NIH.gov)
4. How Has ASSURE-100 Impacted Hawaii’s COVID-19 Response?
Since its rollout, ASSURE-100 has played a vital role in managing COVID-19 in Hawaii, ensuring safer travel and workplace environments.
✈️ Used in Hawaii’s Airports:
- Travel screening programs integrated ASSURE-100 for on-site testing of incoming passengers.
🏨 Deployed in Schools & Workplaces:
- The test was utilized in schools to monitor outbreaks and prevent closures.
- Businesses used it to rapidly test employees and reduce workplace transmission.
🏥 Supporting Public Health & Long COVID Research:
- Doctors and researchers use ASSURE-100 to track new variants and assess long-term COVID-19 trends.
By enabling fast, widespread testing, ASSURE-100 has helped Hawaii transition to a sustainable public health model.
5. The Future of ASSURE-100 and COVID-19 Testing
Even as COVID-19 becomes endemic, testing remains a critical tool in managing future outbreaks and seasonal surges.
🚀 Next-Generation Testing
- Oceanit is now working on AI-enhanced diagnostic tools to detect multiple respiratory viruses.
- Future versions of the ASSURE-100 may integrate flu, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 detection in a single test.
🔬 Public Health & Pandemic Preparedness
- The U.S. government and global health agencies are exploring the use of ASSURE-100 technology for future pandemic responses.
- Expanding the availability of at-home rapid tests like ASSURE-100 and other rapid home tests ensures individuals can stay ahead of infections.
The development of ASSURE-100 is just the beginning, with continued advancements expected in molecular diagnostics and pandemic resilience.
Conclusion: A Hawaii-Based Innovation with Global Impact
The ASSURE-100 Rapid COVID-19 Test represents a major breakthrough in public health and diagnostic technology, proving that scientific innovation can emerge from anywhere—including the islands of Hawaii.
✔️ Developed to address Hawaii’s unique COVID-19 challenges. ✔️ Faster, more reliable, and accessible than traditional PCR tests. ✔️ Now a key tool in managing COVID-19 and future pandemics.
As Hawaii moves forward, testing will remain a critical public health strategy. Keeping rapid home tests stocked ensures individuals can detect infections early and prevent community spread.
The story of ASSURE-100 is a testament to the power of innovation, showing how one state’s efforts can make a global impact in the fight against infectious diseases.
Rapid tests remain a vital tool to protect your family and loved ones during seasonal surges of COVID-19. Be sure to stock your medicine cabinet with market-leading ASSURE-100 rapid tests this season.
Keywords: ASSURE-100 test, Hawaii COVID-19 testing, rapid testing, rapid home tests, SARS-CoV-2, Oceanit, pandemic response, public health innovation