PCR Biosystems Ramps Up Production of Critical Enzyme Mix for COVID-19 Tests

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 10 Apr 2020

Image: qPCRBIO Probe 1-Step Go (Photo courtesy of PCR Biosystems Ltd.)

PCR Biosystems Ltd. (London UK) is continuing to scale up operations to ensure the critical enzyme mix for COVID-19 tests remains available to the UK and global healthcare systems, as the demand for testing rises. To meet the current and upcoming requirements and ensure supply chain security, the company has already significantly increased – and will continue to increase – manufacture of qPCRBIO Probe 1-Step Go and all other critical reagents for rapid and sensitive RT-qPCR.

PCR Biosystems is a manufacturer of PCR kits and reagents for molecular biology diagnostics and research. The company has developed a range of PCR reagents that maximize speed and sensitivity from the simplest to most challenging of reactions. The company’s portfolio covers a broad range of applications including long range PCR, high fidelity PCR, and molecular diagnostic PCR.

The company’s qPCRBIO Probe 1-Step Go is a universal probe kit designed for fast and sensitive probe-based RT-qPCR, and a recommended product for COVID-19 diagnostic tests, supporting the detection, quantification and typing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. All that is required is the addition of specific primers and probes, together with the swab extract and water. qPCRBIO Probe 1-Step Go is compatible with all qPCR instruments and is engineered for use on a wide range of probe technologies, including TaqMan, Scorpions and molecular beacon probes. In March 2020, PCR Biosystems introduced bulk pack sizes of the product to further support customers in high-throughput COVID-19 testing. The measures already implemented by PCR Biosystems will ensure the company remains able to supply the healthcare system with the RT-qPCR reagents and expertise required in the global fight against COVID-19.

“These are unprecedented times, and, as a global PCR company, we are ideally placed to support the scientific and healthcare communities in their response to COVID-19. When the enormity of COVID-19 testing requirements became apparent, we immediately started scaling up production of the critical components,” said Alex Wilson, Co-Founder of PCR Biosystems. “We already have capacity to supply four million reactions’ worth of reagent every day – and we have the option to scale up further if needed to ensure we can always meet global demand.”

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PCR Biosystems Ltd.