BIOTECON Expedites Launch of Viral RNA Extraction Kit for Detecting COVID-19

BIOTECON Diagnostics GmbH (Potsdam, Germany) has launched its newly-developed foodproof Magnetic Preparation Kit VI, which enables lab specialists to perform rapid, sensitive, and reliable RNA and DNA extraction from an array of different viruses. The kit is a welcome solution for high volume, rapid RNA/DNA extraction from all kinds of viruses to increase testing capacity and will support the urgent need for lab testing during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

BIOTECON focuses on the development, production and international marketing of real-time PCR-based, rapid detection technologies, including sample preparation and DNA extraction. BIOTECON’s foodproof Magnetic Preparation Kit VI is based on magnetic bead technology, in which full sample preparation with lysis, extraction, and purification is carried out fully automatically. The key pathogen components are bound to magnetic particles and passed through various washing steps. Time-consuming manual steps, such as external sample preparation, which could also pose a risk of contamination, are no longer necessary due to the integrated enzymatic lysis. The highly purified RNA or DNA is eluted in an appropriate elution buffer, which is then ready to be used in PCR detection kits. The kit contains all required reagents, including enzyme, buffer, and carrier tRNA for the lysis step, as well as the magnetic beads to carry out extraction from complex matrices.

Additionally, BIOTECON has partnered with a Singaporean company to distribute Acu-Corona 2.0/3.0 Kits, which are real-time PCR assays for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 extracted from patient samples. Patients whether suspected to be infected with the virus or not may provide oral or nasal swabs, which are then used as samples for viral RNA extraction and subsequent real-time PCR.

"Our collaboration has vastly accelerated the availability of this rapid, high-throughput assay that is easy-to-use, reliable, cost-effective and allows up to 94 patient samples per 1.5 hours. As a key player in the field of real-time PCR diagnostics, we have responded to the global pandemic by launching our Magnetic Preparation Kit VI for viral RNA extraction and purification. Our kit works hand-in-hand with this real-time PCR assay to accurately detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus and therefore support mass diagnostic efforts," said Alois Schneiderbauer, the Chief Business Officer of BIOTECON Diagnostics.

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