CORONAVIRUS NEWS
SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody test now available in the UK and Europe
Beckman Coulter’s Access SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay is now available in markets accepting the CE mark. The company has shipped tests to more than 400 hospitals, clinics and laboratories in the USA, and has begun shipping to customers globally.- Coronavirus
Cytokine testing for COVID-19 risk and treatment monitoring
An innovative method of monitoring treatment efficacy and recovery from COVID-19 has been unveiled by global diagnostics company Randox Laboratories. The test detects the presence of cytokines, and is performed on the company’s Biochip Technology.- Coronavirus
Significant leap forward for SARS-CoV-2 detection
PCR Biosystems has launched qPCRBIO Probe 1-Step Virus Detect, a high-concentration 4x RT-qPCR kit designed specifically for ultrasensitive, high-throughput detection of viral RNA sequences, including SARS-CoV-2.- Coronavirus
Hand sanitisers: do they work against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus?
It seems bizarre that at the time of writing, we are into the fourth month of a viral pandemic, and yet only one of many available disinfectant and hand sanitiser chemistries had been tested against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Andrew Kemp explains.- Coronavirus
Set up heparin assay protocols quickly and remotely
The NHS has announced that heparin is to be trialled on critically-ill COVID-19 patients, putting more pressure on laboratories to set up new anti-Xa assay protocols. Stago UK is able to help remotely using its Connect.One data sharing middleware.- Coronavirus
Three-dimensional model of SARS-CoV-2 in detail
As scientists around the world race to understand more about SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 disease, they are gaining increasing amounts of information about the viral components that make up the infectious particles.- Coronavirus
Black and Asian groups are at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Black and south Asian ethnic groups in England appear to be at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19, as well as hospitalisation with the disease, according to new UK Biobank research.- Coronavirus
Health and care staff recruited to vaccine trial in Glasgow
The University of Glasgow and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) are supporting the University of Oxford’s SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus vaccine trials in health and care staff. The collaboration is part of the University of Oxford’s Phase III of the trial, which involves assessing health and care staff living in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, who will be invited to take part in the trial if they are aged 18–55 years, healthy and have not been infected with SARS-CoV-2.- Coronavirus
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus: rabbit antibody discovery using single B-cell screening
Effective and reliable solutions to detect SARS-CoV-2 are urgently needed, and antibody-based serological assays are a sensitive way to diagnose infection. Dr Pei Liu (Senior Scientist, Antibody Department, GenScript) will lead a free webinar on 2 June 2020 (10.00 am EST [3.00 pm BST] and 1.00 pm EST [6.00 pm BST]). Click on this story to access the link to register.- Coronavirus
Whole pathogen molecular controls for SARS-CoV-2 receive CE marking
CE marking has been granted to whole-pathogen quality controls for SARS-CoV-2, from global diagnostics company Randox Laboratories. The molecular controls are currently being used alongside the firm’s coronavirus tests, performed on its proprietary Biochip, as part of a nationwide UK testing programme.- Coronavirus
Coronavirus sample collection kit manufacturing and supply contracts secured
EKF Diagnostics has secured new contracts for the manufacture and supply of a novel, patented sample collection device which allows SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus samples to be rapidly inactivated in the collection tube, avoiding contamination and preserving RNA without need for refrigeration. To support the increase in testing globally, a safe and easy sample collection and transport mechanism is essential, and this is provided by the PrimeStore MTM sample collection device.- Coronavirus
Expansion of SARS-CoV-2 testing to include a total antibody test
Siemens Healthineers is expanding its infectious disease testing capabilities to aid in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Recognising the critical need for accurate diagnostic testing, the company has developed a laboratory-based total antibody test to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in blood.- Coronavirus
Microchip RT-PCR coronavirus detection system announced
The current pandemic has created a demand for test kits that can be run with less amount of reagents while generating faster test results. Lumex Instruments’ microchip real-time PCR analyser, AriaDNA, by detecting SARS-CoV-2, has proven its ability to meet this demand. The Microchip RT-PCR coronavirus detection system based on AriaDNA can test up to seven patient samples in one run, which takes less than an hour, with low reagent consumption.- Coronavirus
High-performance SARS-CoV-2 antibody test for humans launched by IDvet
IDvet, a company specialising in the development and production of diagnostic tests for the detection of infectious diseases in farm animals, has announced the commercial launch of a SARS-CoV-2 antibody test for humans.- Coronavirus
Living with the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries: a webinar
In the first of a new webinar series, University of Birmingham experts will discuss how research can help people living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to stay safe during the current coronavirus pandemic. Click on this story to registration for this free webinar, to be held on Thursday 21 May.- Coronavirus
Coronavirus: new fast and accurate antibody test system developed
A serological screening machine with a claimed capacity of up to 3000 tests a day that produces results in 35 minutes with 99.8% accuracy has been developed by Quotient in Scotland and Switzerland. The blood-screening firm is now keen to hold talks with UK ministers amid interest from Europe for the machines.- Coronavirus
Coronavirus antibody test authorisation by Public Health England: comment from BIVDA
The British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA) has commented on recent media headlines as testing continues to underpin the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.- Coronavirus
Contract secured to manufacture coronavirus test kits
New antibody test kits for ongoing SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus testing and immunity research are now being manufactured in Essex. Europlaz Technologies, based in Southminster, has signed an exclusive contract to manufacture antibody test kits.- Coronavirus
Coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients: latest data, recommendations and perspectives
The International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) and European Hematology Association (EHA) are collaborating to present a new webinar on coagulopathy in COVID-19 patients, to be held on 14 May (3.00 pm BST). Click on this story for the link to register for this free webinar.- Coronavirus
Development of a point-of-care, saliva-based antigen test strip for SARS-CoV-2
Avacta Group, the developer of Affimer biotherapeutics and reagents, has shipped Affimer reagents for SARS-COV-2 antigen testing to its diagnostic test development partners. The Group recently reported that it had generated multiple, highly specific Affimer reagents that bind the SARS-COV-2 viral antigen and do not cross-react with SARS, MERS and other closely related coronaviruses.- Coronavirus
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DiaSorin is an Italian multinational Group and a global leader in the market for in vitro diagnostics. DiaSorin is listed on the MTA (automated stock market) in the FTSE Italia Mid Cap Index, organized and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A
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