Switzerland-based Roche has introduces new cobas Liat System, a molecular diagnostic platform developed for on-demand testing in physician clinics, pharmacies and hospital lab settings.

Roche

According to the company, the system comprises cobas Liat Analyzer and a growing portfolio of assays, including the cobas Influenza A/B and cobas Strep A nucleic acid tests.

Roche Molecular Diagnostics head Paul Brown said: "This system offers significant benefits in testing time and accuracy, over current methods used to diagnose infectious disease within the physician office or urgent care clinic.

"It eliminates the need for time-consuming confirmatory testing and can provide critical answers to both the healthcare professional and patient during a consultation."

Featuring polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, the system automates the testing process, simplifies workflow and enables healthcare professionals to perform molecular testing in different settings and results can be generated within 20min, allowing in taking quick treatment decision.

The cobas Influenza A/B test is being used in the differential diagnosis of Influenza A virus and Influenza B virus RNA, as well as in the detection of Strep A DNA with cobas Strep A.

The system is available in the US and within Europe, and the analyzer and two initial assays, cobas Influenza A/B and cobas Strep A, have received CE mark and FDA approval.


Image: The administration and R&D buildings, Roche Diagnostics Ltd, Rotkreuz. Photo: courtesy of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.