The Human SARS-CoV-2 Serology Standard is a pool of plasma from four donors with antibodies IgM and IgG to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins. The U.S. standard has been calibrated to the WHO International Standard.  

The goal of a serology standard is to harmonize assays that measure anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and to enable comparisons between different studies, including different candidate COVID-19 vaccines. This serology standard is to be used for calibration purposes by laboratories conducting SARS-CoV-2 serology testing, rather than for routine inclusion as a quality control.

Email SSNCCbiospecimens@nih.gov with the request form and/or questions.

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Graphic illustration of serology

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Request the serology standard

Download the request form and submit it to SSNCCbiospecimens@nih.gov.
Download the form

Development and assays

This standard has been assigned ligand binding assay units and neutralizing units based on a collaborative study from eight different laboratories and several types of assays: 

  • Automated chemiluminescence 

  • Manufacturer developed ligand binding 

  • In-house developed ligand binding 

  • Fluorescence reduction neutralization