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CORONAVIRUS NEWS

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test manufacturing capacity expanded

Avacta Group, the developer of Affimer biotherapeutics and reagents, has entered an agreement with Abingdon Health for the manufacture of its saliva-based rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test as part of an ongoing expansion of manufacturing capacity.

Expanded SARS-CoV-2 testing with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay

Avero Diagnostics, a physician-owned US laboratory, has announced the expansion of its COVID-19 testing portfolio with the addition of the Roche Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test.

Deployment of novel, cost-effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine technology

Edinburgh-based biotechnology company Ingenza has made a significant breakthrough in the race to develop and manufacture a cost-effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current pandemic and COVID-19 disease.

Reducing viral replication by aryl hydrocarbon receptor inhibition

Hercules Pharmaceuticals has announced the publication of promising preclinical in vivo trial results showing efficacy of its aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) inhibitor HP163 against Zika virus infection and potentially against coronavirus.

Executive War College: ongoing virtual interactive sessions

Remarkable things are happening as laboratories and anatomical pathology groups answer the challenges of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the need for greater numbers of virus tests. Despite shortages, laboratories are adding SARS-CoV-2 test capacity.

Molecular transport medium optimised for molecular testing

PrimeStore MTM is a molecular transport medium that provides a ‘snapshot’ in time of a sample by preserving and stabilising DNA and RNA. This means that samples can be collected, transported, and processed safely and efficiently.

Antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection

ViroStat has released a set of new monoclonal antibodies to the nucleocapsid of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These five antibodies were selected from a group of 60 based on highest binding affinity and best ELISA pairing to detect native viral antigen.

Winter multiplex virus detection kit

Pro-Lab Diagnostics has announced that final-stage clinical trials are underway on the VIASURE Winter Multiplex CFR kit, which is expected to achieve CE certification by the end of August. Preliminary data show excellent performance characteristics.

Clinical validation of Adeptrix COVID-19 diagnostic test

Avacta Group, the developer of Affimer biotherapeutics and reagents, has begun work with the UK government’s CONDOR programme to evaluate and validate the high-throughput COVID-19 bead-assisted mass spectrometry (BAMS) assay developed with Adeptrix.

Molecular transport medium for dual SARS-CoV-2 and influenza sampling

EKF Diagnostics has added a novel viral transport media for the safe sample handling and testing of multiple infectious diseases from a single swab to its product range. PrimeStore MTM is a collection device that deactivates viruses.

Production of Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab test accelerated

Bio-Rad Laboratories is accelerating production of its Platelia SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab test, a blood-based immunoassay kit to help determine if an individual has developed antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus associated with COVID-19 disease.

Prepare for a winter COVID-19 peak, warns Academy of Medical Sciences

The UK must prepare now for a potential new wave of coronavirus infections this winter that could be more serious than the first, says a new report from the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Novel sensors to detect SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in waste water

Avacta Group, the developer of Affimer biotherapeutics and reagents, is collaborating with Integumen to evaluate recently generated Affimer reagents that bind the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein for the detection of the coronavirus in waste water.

Increasing efficiency of coronavirus sampling kit production

Xebios Diagnostics manufactures high-quality, ready-to-use culture media for microbiological diagnostic applications, and is using DOSE IT to aliquot viral transport medium (VTM) into sterile screw-capped tubes to meet market demand.

Equipment and reagents from Randox used in COVID-19 hospital in India

Randox Laboratories has installed an RX modena in a COVID-19 hospital in India, at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College in Madhya Pradesh state.

Rapid lateral-flow antibody test for SARS-CoV-2

Significant efforts are being made to protect public health and prevent local, regional or national spikes in SARS-CoV-2 cases. Antibody testing can determine population seroconversion and aid epidemiological and public health decisions.

Genes associated with high risk of severe COVID-19

Scientists from PrecisionLife have found 68 genes associated with risk of developing severe COVID-19 by using its proprietary AI-enabled precision medicine platform to analyse the genomes of 929 patients who had a severe response to SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19: impact on the NTM patient

A free webinar on COVID-19 and the impact on the non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) patient will be held on Wednesday, 8 July at 5.00 pm. Click on this news item for registration details.

Una Health and Fortress Diagnostics partner with the DHSC

Una Health, a distributor of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs), and Fortress Diagnostics, a provider of IVDs, are partnering with the Department of Health & Social Care in the Real Time Assessment of Community Transmission (REACT) study into COVID-19.

Use of digital pathology for remote diagnosis

Hamamatsu Photonics invites you to join a panel discussion with pathologist Dr Matthew Hanna and IT Manager Nikolas Stathonikos on Thursday 9 July 2020 (4.00 pm BST, 11.00 am EDT, 5.00 pm CET). Click on this item for the link to register.

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Upcoming Events

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

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