Bio-Rad receives FDA emergency use authorization for droplet digital PCR SARS-CoV-2 test kit

Test runs on Bio-Rad’s QX200 and QXDx ddPCR systems and aims to provide early detection of COVID-19

4 Apr 2020
Diane Li
Assistant Editor

Product news

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc., a global leader of life science research and clinical diagnostic products, has announced that its SARS-CoV-2 Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) test kit has been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The SARS-CoV-2 Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) test runs on Bio-Rad's QX200 and QXDx ddPCR systems.

The high sensitivity of the test makes it well suited to screening upper respiratory samples in patients with a low viral load, including individuals in the early stages of infection as compared to classical quantitative PCR tests. The test can also play an important role in surveillance by detecting minimal residual disease in people recovering from COVID-19 informing them if they are negative for the virus. Bio-Rad’s single-well SARS CoV-2 ddPCR test provides clinicians with a high degree of sensitivity that can significantly improve the accuracy of reported results.

According to the World Health Organization, regular, accurate testing of COVID-19 is a key component in the fight against the global pandemic.

"We are pleased to receive Emergency Use Authorization for our SARS-CoV-2 ddPCR test that offers high sensitivity in detecting infection of COVID-19 at an early stage," said Simon May, Senior Vice President of Bio-Rad’s Digital Biology Group. "We believe the test will be a powerful complement to current diagnostics, helping clinicians and public health officials accurately identify infected individuals in a timely manner. With the EUA, our test is now available to clinical labs in the U.S.," he said.

Thousands of hospitals and molecular testing labs in the U.S. and around the world have Bio-Rad’s QX200 and QXDx ddPCR systems installed and have the capacity to perform SARS-CoV-2 ddPCR testing. The SARS-CoV-2 ddPCR test represents the latest addition to Bio-Rad’s product offerings related to COVID-19. This is the second EUA Bio-Rad has been granted for COVID-19. Last week, the company received an EUA for a serology test to detect antibodies to the virus.

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QX200™ Droplet Digital PCR System

Bio-Rad

Droplet Digital PCR System, includes droplet generator, droplet reader, laptop computer, software, associated component consumables, for EvaGreen or probe-based digital PCR applications

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QXDx BCR-ABL %IS Kit (CE-IVD)

Bio-Rad

The QXDx BCR-ABL %IS Kit is a digital PCR test that monitors the p210 BCR-ABL major translocation in the peripheral blood of patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). The test is designed and run on Bio-Rad’s QXDx™ Droplet Digital™ PCR System (QX200™ Droplet Digital™ PCR), enabling precise, highly sensitive quantification of nucleic acids. Features and Benefits Absolute quantification — eliminates the need for standard curves High precision and accuracy — increased sensitivity with 2- or 4-well test per patient sample Simplified and scalable workflow — flexibility to evaluate 8 to 48 samples per run in a workflow as simple as qPCR Direct reporting on International Scale (%IS) and Molecular Response (MR) values — provides standardized interpreted output

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Immunologists use equipment such as flow Cytometers, plate readers, plate washers and fluorescent microscopes.Cellular PathologyCellular Pathology deals with the microscopic analysis of tissue samples and cells. Sample preparation and processing includes fixation, staining, sectioning and slide mounting, using equipment such microtomes and cryostats. In choosing immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry kits, consider chromogens, staining method, antibodies, microscopes and imaging.Point-of-CarePoint-of-Care Testing (POCT) or Near Patient Testing (NPT) products are available for urine, blood and other clinical chemistry analyses. 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