Bio-Rad Launches RT-PCR Assays to Track SARS-CoV-2 Variants More Rapidly and Cost-Effectively

Bio-Rad Laboratories (Hercules, CA, USA) has launched the SARS-CoV-2 Variant RT-PCR Assays for research use only (RUO).

The assays can detect SARS-CoV-2 (the virus associated with COVID-19) variants of concern, including P.1, B.1.351, and B.1.1.7, by distinguishing specific mutations in SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) often prior to a next generation sequencing (NGS) workflow for confirmation.

With the emergence of several SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, public health researchers are looking for a quicker way to track the spread of these variants in a population. Laboratories that use NGS to track COVID-19 variants can detect these mutations more quickly and cost-effectively with the SARS-CoV-2 Variant RT-PCR Assays to more rapidly prioritize which samples to submit for NGS.

"We are pleased to introduce our SARS-CoV-2 Variant RT-PCR Assays to enable detection of mutations in these new variants more quickly and cost-effectively by laboratories using NGS to track COVID-19 variants," said John Randall, Bio-Rad Vice President Marketing, Life Science Group. “The assays join Bio-Rad’s offering of research and testing products that are helping in the fight against COVID-19.”