We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Bio-Rad Launches Serology Assay for Detection of Coronavirus Antibodies

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 09 Apr 2020
Image: Bio-Rad launches serology assay for detection of coronavirus antibodies (Photo courtesy of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.)
Image: Bio-Rad launches serology assay for detection of coronavirus antibodies (Photo courtesy of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.)
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (Hercules, CA, USA) has launched a blood-based immunoassay kit to identify antibodies to the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the virus associated with COVID-19. Preliminary performance of the assay has been established and the kit is now undergoing clinical evaluation in several hospitals to further confirm its clinical performance. Initial data collected on more than 700 samples has demonstrated specificity of above 99%.

Bio-Rad develops, manufactures, and markets a broad range of innovative products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. Its customers comprise university and research institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, as well as applied laboratories that include food safety and environmental quality. Bio-Rad hasd recently launched a SARS CoV-2 Standard to support laboratory assay validation of coronavirus (COVID-19) testing through its Exact Diagnostics product line. Bio-Rad is providing the SARS CoV-2 Standard to help labs validate their COVID-19 assay results and accelerate access to testing.

Bio-Rad’s immunoassay kit detects total immunoglobulin (IgG, IgM, and IgA), an approach which appears to be more sensitive than assays against a single immunoglobulin. The test was designed for use manually or on an automated immunoassay platform, such as Bio-Rad’s EVOLIS System, which offers high throughput processing and sample traceability. Bio-Rad plans to offer the immunoassay kit globally. In the US, the company intends to use the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization process to expedite US availability. Bio-Rad believes its blood-based immunoassay kit will help clinicians determine if an individual has been infected by the virus and therefore, has developed an immune response against SARS-CoV-2.

“Using a serology test to support the diagnosis of COVID-19 and to screen populations can provide a more complete understanding of infection rates as well as immunity,” said Dara Wright, Bio-Rad Clinical Diagnostics Group EVP & President. “The detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 on a large scale may be used to guide public authorities in their decisions to lift partial or total containment orders according to the serological status of the population. Molecular and serology testing are highly complementary in this regard.”

Related Links:
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Collection and Transport System
PurSafe Plus®
New
Gold Member
Automated MALDI-TOF MS System
EXS 3000
New
Homocysteine Quality Control
Liquichek Homocysteine Control

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: A schematic illustrating the coagulation cascade in vitro (Photo courtesy of Harris, N., 2024)

ADLM’s New Coagulation Testing Guidance to Improve Care for Patients on Blood Thinners

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are one of the most common types of blood thinners. Patients take them to prevent a host of complications that could arise from blood clotting, including stroke, deep... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: EBP and EBP plus have received FDA 510(k) clearance and CE-IVDR Certification for use on the BD COR system (Photo courtesy of BD)

High-Throughput Enteric Panels Detect Multiple GI Bacterial Infections from Single Stool Swab Sample

Gastrointestinal (GI) infections are among the most common causes of illness worldwide, leading to over 1.7 million deaths annually and placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Conventional diagnostic... Read more
GLOBE SCIENTIFIC, LLC