Bio-Rad Showcases Best-in-Class COVID-19 Solutions at AACC 2021

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 27 Sep 2021

Image: Reliance SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay Kit (Photo courtesy of Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.)

Bio-Rad Laboratories (Hercules, CA, USA) showcased its best-in-class COVID-19 solutions at the 2021 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, the world’s largest laboratory medicine tradeshow.

At AACC 2021, Bio-Rad exhibited its wide range of products for use in the support of COVID-19 diagnostic screening, confirmation of test results, surveillance, and therapy/vaccine research and development. From molecular testing using real-time PCR or Droplet Digital PCR, to immunology assays, the company highlighted its wide range of solutions that provide best in class sensitivity and accuracy. Bio-Rad’s comprehensive range of products for COVID-19 diagnosis, confirmation, and antibody detection included real-time PCR, droplet digital PCR, and serological testing. The company’s SARS-CoV-2 testing solutions spanning the full course of the viral infection, with options from active infection testing to post-infection antibody testing, were displayed at the event. On display were Bio-Rad’s two COVID-19 RT-PCR molecular in vitro diagnostic tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 under EUA – the Reliance SARS-CoV-2/Flu A/Flu B RT-PCR Assay Kit that detects and differentiates Flu A and Flu B from COVID-19 by targeting nucleocapsid Flu A M1 and Flu B NS2 genes; and Reliance SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Assay Kit that detects COVID-19 by targeting nucleocapsid N1 and N2 genes.

Bio-Rad exhibited its COVID-19 ddPCR molecular test – the SARS-CoV-2 ddPCR Kit which is a partition-based endpoint RT-PCR test for the qualitative detection of nucleic acids from SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal anterior nasal and mid-turbinate nasal swab specimens and nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate plus nasal aspirate specimens from patients suspected of being infected with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider. The company also presented its COVID-19 serology test – the Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab Assay that detects total anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (IgM, IgA, and IgG) to SARS-CoV-2 in human serum and plasma to aid in identifying individuals with an adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2, indicating recent or prior infection.

Additionally, Bio-Rad highlighted its serology solutions for clinical laboratories seeking to detect total anti-nucleocapsid antibodies IgM, IgA, and IgG on an automated or manual immunoassay testing system (Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab) or use VIROTROL and VIROCLEAR SARS-CoV-2 antibody controls to ensure an unbiased independent assessment of your serology testing systems. Also, the company demonstrated how wastewater testing can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA shed in the stool of symptomatic and asymptomatic infected individuals, providing near real-time surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 viral spread at the community level. The company exhibited several solutions to address the needs of scientists studying COVID-19 such as its Droplet digital PCR that is ideal for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Multiplex immunoassays measure anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in a population. Both the company’s real-time PCR and ddPCR can monitor the variant sequences of SARS-CoV-2 in the population. Also on display at AACC 2021 were Bio-Rad’s solutions to support coronavirus characterization, immune response studies, as well as vaccine and therapeutic development and manufacturing.

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