Certific: The Future of Certified Home Testing | Health Tech

Certific Launches Certified Remote COVID-19 Testing Service

A new health tech company, Certific, co-founded by Taavet Hinrikus of TransferWise, has officially launched its remote COVID-19 testing service. The service is positioned as the first of its kind to offer “certified” results.

Addressing Adherence and Trust in Remote Testing

Certific, a British-Estonian venture, employs methodologies inspired by both the fintech and telemedicine sectors. A key component involves users recording themselves during the at-home testing process, aiming to bolster adherence and build confidence in remote testing outcomes.

Initial Rollout and Test Availability

The company is initially focusing on serving individual consumers and businesses within the U.K., with plans for expansion into other markets. Online orders are accepted, and results are promised within 24 hours for PCR tests and under 90 minutes for antigen tests.

Enhancing Trust in Self-Administered Tests

The Certific app and overall user experience are specifically engineered to elevate trust in remote testing. The goal is to ensure that tests performed by individuals meet the same rigorous standards as those conducted in a clinical environment.

Origins of the Concept

Taavet Hinrikus shared that the initial idea stemmed from early explorations with antibody tests during the pandemic’s onset. “We began exploring finger-prick tests to detect antibodies, considering how we could contribute to global solutions,” he explained. However, uncertainties surrounding antibody tests and immunity led to a temporary pause, but the pursuit of more reliable testing methods continued.

Building a Democratized Medical Testing Approach

Later in 2023, Hinrikus and his co-founders – Dr. Jack Kreindler, a physician, and Liis Narusk, the CEO – recognized an opportunity to create a more accessible and trustworthy medical testing system, particularly relevant to the pandemic.

Leveraging Fintech Authentication Techniques

Hinrikus acknowledges the influence of authentication methods prevalent in fintech, such as video selfies used for customer onboarding in digital banking. His background as a founder of TransferWise and an active angel investor, including his investment in Estonian verification platform Veriff, underscores this inspiration. Furthermore, Dr. Kreindler’s expertise in anti-doping within combat sports contributes to the security framework.

The Testing and Verification Process

The Certific app requires users to film themselves while performing the test. This recording, along with the test result, is securely transmitted to Certific and reviewed by a qualified physician. This verification confirms proper adherence to the manufacturer’s instructions. A certified medical report containing the result is then delivered through the app. PCR tests are priced at £64, while antigen tests will be available in packs of 12 for £249, equating to £20.75 per test.

Addressing Potential for Fraud

Certific CEO Liis Narusk emphasizes the company’s dedication to preventing fraudulent results. “We’ve leveraged our experience in anti-fraud and anti-cheat measures to ensure the integrity of the process,” she stated. The video recording is scrutinized by test verification officers to confirm that the test remains within the frame throughout the procedure.

Ensuring Test and Identity Verification

Certific also verifies that the test used matches the one ordered and possesses a unique identifier. Additionally, the system confirms the identity of the individual performing the test.

Future Enhancements to Verification

Hinrikus notes that while the current system is robust, a higher-tier service with enhanced video verification, including a live operator as a witness, will be offered in the future. This will provide an additional layer of security.

Applications for Businesses and Events

This enhanced verification could be particularly valuable for businesses, live events, and travel industries, where there may be incentives to falsify results and where proof of COVID-19 safety is required for insurance or regulatory compliance.

Comparison to Existing Home Testing Practices

Dr. Kreindler, Certific’s medical director, points out that current U.K. guidelines allow key workers to perform home tests without additional verification, as they have less incentive to manipulate results.

Incentives and the Risk of Cheating

“Public servants aren’t significantly disadvantaged by a positive test result, as they continue to receive pay. Therefore, the motivation to cheat is lower,” Kreindler explains. “The challenge arises in situations where there’s a clear incentive or disadvantage associated with a positive test.”

Developing a Computational Risk Model

Certific has collaborated with academics in Estonia, North America, and the U.K. to create a computational risk model for mass testing in “super spreader” environments, such as large gatherings. This model will integrate test results with data on vaccination status and immunity to assess and mitigate risk.

Certifying Crowds, Not Just Tests

“Our vision extends beyond simply certifying tests; we aim to certify crowds,” Kreindler states. “This involves continually learning from decentralized testing data and understanding the interplay of vaccination and immunity to implement effective preventative measures.”

A Test-Agnostic Platform for the Future

Looking ahead, Certific is designed to be adaptable to various types of tests, not just those for COVID-19. The company envisions becoming a foundational platform for existing and future home tests, potentially expanding into areas like sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and anti-doping in sports.