CORONAVIRUS NEWS
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.
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.
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.
Coagulation alterations and management of patients with COVID-19 infection
Stago UK recently hosted a webinar on ‘Coagulation alterations and management of patients with COVID-19 infection’. The presenter, Professor Armando D’Angelo, has been involved in the management of COVID-19 patients in Italy’s Lombardy region, one of the worst affected areas in the world. Click on this story for links to free Stago webinars.
Digital pathology software: expanding availability
Recently, Proscia made available its Concentriq Dx digital pathology software for use in clinical practice in the USA, following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance to provide a policy to help expand the availability of devices for remote reviewing and reporting of scanned digital images of pathology slides.
Free EQA scheme for UFH anti-Xa measurement now available
The role of unfractionated heparin (UFH) has come to the fore in the battle to save COVID -19 patients. With laboratories facing increased demand to measure anti-Xa activity, Stago UK is offering free enrolment in its Qualiris EQA scheme for UFH, which includes an anti-Xa assay peer group.
Acute-phase coronavirus rapid antigen test
Now available from BioConnections, COVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens in a nasopharyngeal swab in 15 minutes in more than seven out of 10 patients with the high viral load (Cycle threshold [Ct] <25; an inverse measure of the target [virus] concentration) found in the acute phase of COVID-19.
Urgent research priorities for COVID-19: expert summary
The Academy of Medical Sciences and the British Society for Immunology established an expert advisory group in early April 2020. Together, the experts reviewed the limited research that is currently available and identified key research priorities.
Coronavirus antibody test: emergency authorisation
Roche has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for its new Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test, which is designed to help determine if a patient has been exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and if the patient has developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.
Supporting staff, customers and local communities
CellPath is proud to supply the tools to make cancer diagnosis possible. Faced with the coronavirus outbreak, the company remains committed to supporting its customers’ crucial work. During this time, it is also necessary to protect valuable staff and the local community by ensuring the mid-Wales premises is safe for all.
First connected management system to accelerate SARS-CoV-2 testing
InterSystems, a global leader in healthcare information systems and technology solutions, has signed an agreement with Pure Health, the largest laboratory operator in the Gulf countries, to deploy InterSystems’ TrakCare Lab Enterprise (TCLE) system, the first and only laboratory business management solution, to support the UAE’s testing initiatives for SARS-CoV-2.
Patterns of common coronavirus infections could aid understanding of COVID-19
Coronavirus infections are a common cause of mild colds, infecting thousands of people every year in the UK. They mostly circulate in the winter in temperate regions where they are often referred to as ‘seasonal coronaviruses’. However, in contrast to many other infectious diseases, little is known about how often, and in whom, these viruses cause illnesses requiring medical attention. Data describing their patterns of infection are lacking because they are not tested for often.
Launch of sensitive and specific SARS-CoV-2 antibody test announced
Bio-Rad Laboratories has announced the commercial launch of its 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. Bio-Rad has applied for Emergency Use Authorisation offered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has met CE-mark requirements for Europe.
Supporting the national effort to fight the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
SYNLAB is providing the NHS with 24/7 SARS-CoV-2 testing from its Taunton laboratory. Not only does this laboratory provide regional services for NHS patients and staff in Somerset, but also undertakes testing for the NHS elsewhere in the UK, helping to increase access to the much-needed coronavirus tests.
New partnership to help UCL accelerate coronavirus research
Academics at University College London (UCL) are working with Causaly to help accelerate various aspects of research into the current coronavirus pandemic, including identification of biomarkers and potential therapeutic agents. Causaly is a technology company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to read, understand and interpret vast databases of biomedical knowledge.
Donation of 100 live-cell imaging systems to assist COVID-19 researchers
CytoSMART Technologies is to donate 100 mini live-cell imaging systems to researchers in high-containment laboratories worldwide. Those working to combat COVID-19 will benefit from this initiative, as CytoSMART aims to reduce the huge workload currently facing researchers on projects vital to controlling the disease.
SiQuats destroy the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus: reporting research results
To date, only disinfectants and sanitisers containing fifth-generation silane quaternary compounds (SiQuats) have been tested against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (pictured), and results just released show that they ‘smash’ it, according the Dr Andrew Kemp.
Whole pathogen molecular controls for SARS-CoV-2 unveiled
Whole pathogen quality controls to support accurate coronavirus testing have been developed by scientists in the UK. The molecular controls, available from global diagnostics company Randox Laboratories, are currently being used as part of a nationwide testing programme for front-line NHS workers. Available under the brand name Qnostics, the new SARS-CoV-2 controls are manufactured using whole pathogens. Therefore, they mimic the patient sample, providing the best sample matrix for laboratories.
Volunteer testing network launched to combat COVID-19
The COVID-19 Volunteer Testing Network has been launched to provide essential additional testing capacity to front-line workers. The project, started by Mike Fischer CBE, helps small laboratories convert to run critical antigen testing and identify COVID-19 cases among local healthcare workers – at no cost to government.
Test kits for the diagnosis of current and past coronavirus infections
BIOHIT Healthcare is now distributing test kits for the diagnosis of current and past SARS-CoV-2 infections to help in the fight against coronavirus in the UK. The new product line includes the MutaPLEX Coronavirus kit from Immundiagnostik (IDK) – a real-time RT-PCR assay to screen for infected individuals – and Epitope Diagnostics (EDI) immunodiagnostic tests for IgM and IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, to detect past infections.
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