Press Release: Doctoral Dissertation: Future Pandemics Will Be Controlled with Antigen Testing – Finnish Technology Identifies Infectious Individuals
Turku, January 20, 2026 – A doctoral dissertation to be publicly examined at the University of
Turku describes the design and development of automated rapid tests for multiple infectious
diseases. The tests commercialized during the doctoral research identify infectious individuals in
the active phase of disease by detecting viral or bacterial antigens. The use of antigen testing
enables more effective management of infectious diseases and improved control of disease
spread during pandemics and epidemics.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics in Finland were
primarily conducted in central laboratories using gene amplification–based PCR testing. This
approach was implemented without robust comparative evidence regarding the relative
effectiveness of different testing modalities in controlling infectious disease transmission.
Antigen-based rapid tests were later adopted in pandemic management based on strong scientific
evidence. Physicians and the public recognized the key advantages of rapid testing, including speed,
correlation of results with active disease, and cost-effectiveness.
In his doctoral research, Juha M. Koskinen, M.Sc. (Research and Development Manager at ArcDia
Ltd), developed and commercialized automated rapid tests for detecting structural
components—antigens—of viruses and bacteria using Finnish laser-based technology. The research
also provided deeper insight into the course of acute, active, and infectious-phase infections.
”Evidence gathered during the pandemic demonstrated that an antigen-based rapid test
performed at the point of sample collection is a more effective tool for preventing disease
transmission than a PCR test performed in a central laboratory, where results may only become
available days later.”
”Before the pandemic, we had developed the world’s first rapid test for seasonal coronavirus. At
the very beginning of the pandemic, we were at the forefront of diagnostics, developing one of
the world’s first antigen tests for SARS-CoV-2.”
‒ Juha M. Koskinen, R&D Manager, ArcDia Ltd
Timely Treatment and Quarantine Require Identification of the Active Phase of the Infection
Identifying the causative agent early in the course of disease enables the prevention of secondary
transmission. Timely initiation of antimicrobial therapy reduces disease duration, severity, and
infectiousness.
Antigen tests directly measure structural components of viruses or bacteria present in the sample.
Scientific evidence shows a clear correlation between antigen test positivity and infectiousness or
active disease, regardless of whether the infection is symptomatic or asymptomatic.
PCR tests, by contrast, amplify genetic material present in the sample and may yield positive results
for weeks after the acute infectious phase has resolved. PCR testing is therefore not suitable for
assessing infectiousness, although it is well suited for ruling out disease.
Follow-up studies conducted as part of the thesis work, together with broader scientific evidence,
indicate that viral load and antigen levels typically peak one day before symptom onset or during
the first symptomatic days. Rapid testing can therefore identify infectious individuals even before
symptoms begin—an important factor in preventing onward transmission. Infectious virus and
antigen shedding generally begins within five days of exposure and typically ends within ten days of
symptom onset.
Quarantine measures during the COVID-19 pandemic had significant negative impacts on
individuals and society. Rapid and accurate identification of infectious individuals enables
quarantine measures to be both more effective and shorter in duration.
Technology Developed in Turku
The dissertation utilized a laser-based antigen detection platform developed in Turku. The device is
commercially known as the mariPOC® testing system and can be described as an automated digital
laboratory. In Finland, the system is widely used in private healthcare clinics and emergency
departments for respiratory infection diagnostics.
”The thesis work demonstrated that the testing system can also reliably detect gastrointestinal
pathogen antigens in stool samples, for example norovirus and antibiotic-associated diarrhea
(Clostridioides difficile). The developed test enables antibiotic-associated diarrhea testing in line
with the recommendations of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, although
this recommendation is not yet fully implemented in Finland. The technology holds significant
potential for future applications.”
‒ Juha M. Koskinen, R&D Manager, ArcDia Ltd
Public Defense on Friday, January 23
Juha M. Koskinen, MSc, will publicly defend his doctoral dissertation entitled “Detection of acute
infections by two-photon excitation fluorometry” at the University of Turku on Friday, January 23,
2026 at 12:00 noon (Medisiina C, Osmo Järvi Hall, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku).
The opponent will be Adjunct Professor Jussi Hepojoki (University of Helsinki), and the custos will be
Professor Heli Harvala (University of Turku). The defense will be conducted in Finnish. The field of
the dissertation is virology.
The dissertation is available in the University of Turku electronic publication archive:
https://www.utupub.fi/handle/10024/194867
Contact information:
Juha Koskinen, FM
R&D Manager
ArcDia International Oy
email: juha.koskinen[at]arcdia.com
About mariPOC®
mariPOC® is an automated CE-marked diagnostic testing system designed for rapid identification of acute
infectious diseases at the point-of-care. This significantly accelerates the availability of results for clinical
decision-making. The system detects the most clinically relevant respiratory, pharyngeal, and gastrointestinal
pathogens, with results available in as little as 20 minutes and no later than two hours.
The automated mariPOC® rapid test is currently in use at 50 healthcare sites in Finland, particularly within the
private healthcare sector. The tests can identify up to 11 pathogens from a single sample, increasing the
likelihood that the correct cause of symptoms is determined at the first visit.
The clinical performance of mariPOC® tests has been demonstrated in numerous peer-reviewed publications
in leading scientific journals. Test results are automatically and anonymously transferred to ArcDia’s
mariCloud™ cloud service, which provides real-time epidemiological insights to healthcare professionals and
public authorities in Finland.
mariPOC® is the Finnish market leader in automated rapid testing and epidemiological surveillance of
respiratory infections. The system is known for its ease of use, high accuracy, and reliability. mariPOC® is
based on patented technology developed in Finland, and the tests are manufactured domestically.
For more information:
https://www.arcdia.com/maripoc/
https://www.arcdia.com/maricloud/
About ArcDia International Ltd
ArcDia International Ltd develops, manufactures, and markets automated diagnostic test systems and
services for infectious diseases for global markets. The company was founded in 2008. Its next-generation
technology platform enables central-laboratory-level accuracy, quality, and test menu breadth in rapid
diagnostics. The company’s quality management system is ISO 13485 certified.