LetsGetChecked is all about personal health testing, empowering people to use technology for greater control of their personal health. We chat to Founder and CEO, Peter Foley on revolutionizing healthcare by making it open and patient-led.
When did you start LetsGetChecked and what was the inspiration behind founding the company?
I started LetsGetChecked in 2015 with a goal of making diagnostic testing more accessible. Everyone has experienced family members dying way too early and in a lot of cases an early diagnosis would have made a difference. Even at a more basic level, everyone has experienced the slow and frustrating process that exists to get a diagnostic test performed. The concept of LetsGetChecked was to open this up and make diagnostic testing accessible to everyone.
Please tell us a bit more about the products and services you provide.
LetsGetChecked is a leading direct-to-consumer at-home health testing and insights company. By combining health data and diagnostic results, we are able to provide rich health insights to enable better healthcare decision making. Our tests cover general health, men’s health, women’s health, and sexual health and are available nationwide in the US, Canada, and Europe. Most recently, we launched our Sure-track Test which introduces the most complete FDA EUA authorized Coronavirus at-home testing solution.
What sets you apart from other testing services?
The Sure-track Test is designed with everyone’s safety in mind and effectively “deactivates the virus.” The virus is “deactivated” because when the swab sample is collected, the swab is placed in a special transport tube which contains a solution that “deactivates the virus” — meaning that the virus is deactivated, removing the risk of further contamination to postal services or anyone else who may come in contact with the sample during transit. Other authorized tests use a saline solution and therefore, the virus stays active during transit. LetsGetChecked’s safety measures successfully deactivates the virus to ensure safe transportation throughout the process. We own all aspects of the testing service, including the collection kit manufacturing process, logistics, lab analysis and physician approval — no other company.
Earlier this year you launched an integrated healthcare app, could you tell us a little more about how it works and the benefits this has for customers?
The app is a convenient way for customers to be more engaged with their health. As well as being able to explore and buy the widest range of at-home health tests on the market the app allows patients’ concerns to be addressed directly, via 1-to-1 contact, with medical professionals at LetsGetChecked. You can also connect your wearable devices so that everything is in one place.
You have just received Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA for your at-home COVID-19 test, what does the test involve and how quickly can customers access their results?
Offering an end-to-end model, LetsGetChecked’s new Sure-track Test introduces the most complete FDA EUA authorized Coronavirus at-home testing solution. The test incorporates a nasal swab and PCR lab analysis offering convenient and secure results in 24 hours and we own all aspects of the testing service, including the collection kit manufacturing process, logistics, lab analysis and physician approval — providing a native testing flow that delivers unmatched safety and scale for customers.
What is next on the cards for LetsGetChecked?
LetsGetChecked has a current capacity of 350,000 units per week in our own CLIA/CAP/BSL II certified high complexity laboratory based in Monrovia, California and we are building toward a capacity of millions per week in order to meet the demand of partners and individuals in all 50 states.
