The updated version of high-sensitive Covid-19 PCR kit is used to detect current and emerging viral mutations
TaqPath
Thermo Fisher Scientific has introduced the new CE-IVD marked TaqPath Covid-19 Fast PCR Combo Kit 2.0 to accurately detect active SARS-CoV-2 infections.
The high-sensitive Covid-19 test kit uses eight total targets across three genomic regions of the virus to detect current and emerging variants.
Thermo Fisher said that with advanced assay design, the test would provide accurate results even in the conditions where the virus that causes Covid-19 continues to mutate.
TaqPath Covid-19 Fast PCR Combo Kit 2.0 test directly uses raw saliva for widespread, high-frequency testing with a turnaround time of two hours.
Thermo Fisher genetic sciences senior medical director Manoj Gandhi said: “Covid-19 variants can be more transmissible and potentially impact efficacy of diagnostics, vaccines and therapies, threatening to reverse progress made in the past year.
“We are working to empower our customers to prepare for the next stage of the pandemic by future-proofing our test design against likely mutations and to provide continued confidence in their results.”
The first generation TaqPath Covid-19 RT-PCR Kit, which uses a different assay design, has received the initial CE-IVD certification in March last year.
The test uses Applied Biosystems TaqPath Assay and real-time PCR technology to provide results within four hours from receiving the sample at the lab.
Thermo Fisher had also secured the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization for its TaqPath Covid-19, Flu A, Flu B combo kit in February this year.
The test is designed to identify and differentiate RNA from the SARS-CoV2, influenza A and influenza B viruses in nasopharyngeal and nasal swab.
Furthermore, the company has secured CE mark approval for its TaqPath Covid-19, Flu A/B, RSV Combo Kit in December last year, to detect SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A/B infections.