Variant of concern

PerkinElmer Launches NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 to Strengthen SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Environment, Research, Medical Devices, Infectious Diseases, Biotechnology, Health, Pharmaceutical, General Health, Science, European Union, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, NYSE, Company, Research, Center for Applied Genomics, PKI, Laboratory, Longevity, UDI, NGS, Security (finance), Union, Failure, Intention, Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, Quality of life, PerkinElmer, Food, LIBOR, VOC, World Health Organization, World, Form 10-Q, Science, RUO, COVID-19, BioLegend, Intellectual property, United, Library, Variant of concern, Sale, Solution, Genomics, Risk, Workflow, Compliance, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning

Using positive SARS-CoV-2 samples, the NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 detects mutations associated with all SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the latest Variant of Concern (VOC) identified by the World Health Organization, Omicron (B.1.1.529).

Key Points: 
  • Using positive SARS-CoV-2 samples, the NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 detects mutations associated with all SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the latest Variant of Concern (VOC) identified by the World Health Organization, Omicron (B.1.1.529).
  • The emergence of the Omicron variant has reaffirmed the important role that SARS-CoV-2 surveillance will play in ending the COVID-19 pandemic, said James Atwood, general manager of Applied Genomics, PerkinElmer.
  • The NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 workflow was specifically designed to meet the needs of the surveillance community by increasing speed from sample to result, increasing throughput and reducing workflow complexity.
  • Additionally, the NEXTFLEX Variant-Seq SARS-CoV-2 Kit v2 uses 1,536 Unique Dual Index (UDI) barcodes to enable the sequencing of 6,000 SARS-CoV-2 libraries in one flow cell.

University of Oxford and Oracle Cloud System Helping Researchers Identify COVID-19 Variants Faster

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 20, 2021
Cloud, Policy, CTO, Delta, SP3, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, University, Virus, Oracle Corporation, Program, Pathology, Java, Safety, Laboratory, Industry, Southwest Border Security Consortium, Global Health, Old Road Campus, Multimedia, Heart, CEO, Divisions of the University of Oxford, Coronavirus, TBI, Oracle Cloud, Variant of concern, NYSE, Global change, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Solution, Institute, MySQL, Microbiology, Face, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Organization, OCI, Oxford University Innovation, Time, Nuffield Department of Population Health, Oracle Application Express, COVID-19, Public health, View, Research, University of Oxford, Lawrence, Pharmaceutical industry, Vaccine, Medical device, Software

Uniting governments and medical communities in this challenge, the University of Oxford and Oracle's Global Pathogen Analysis System (GPAS) is now being used by organizations on nearly every continent.

Key Points: 
  • Uniting governments and medical communities in this challenge, the University of Oxford and Oracle's Global Pathogen Analysis System (GPAS) is now being used by organizations on nearly every continent.
  • The Global Pathogen Analysis System is being provided as a free resource to help combat COVID-19 and other microbial health threats.
  • Researchers are using the system to upload pathogen data and receive comprehensive results within minutes.
  • Oracle offersintegrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud.For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com .

The Hyris System™ Detects SARS-CoV-2, Including Recently Emerged Variants of Concerns.

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Knowledge, CDC, Biotechnology, PCR, CEO, Technology, B.1.427, ECDC, Risk assessment, WHO, Polymerase chain reaction, COVID-19, Variant of concern, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, GISAID, Polymerase, COVID-19 testing, Vision, Health Canada, GLOBE, Time, Awareness, Animal

"Therefore, at such a time, a portable yet reliable Diagnostic System capable of detecting Covid-19, including the main known variants, is crucial to any risk-reduction strategy."

Key Points: 
  • "Therefore, at such a time, a portable yet reliable Diagnostic System capable of detecting Covid-19, including the main known variants, is crucial to any risk-reduction strategy."
  • The Hyris System confirms its reliability in the fight against Covid-19, after its launch following the authorization by Health Canada in September 2020 and the CE-IVD Mark in November.
  • "Several new 'variants of concern' emerged," recalls Isabella Cavaliere, Quality Manager at Hyris.
  • Contact an Hyris expert to discover how Hyris can help you perform beyond the boundaries of your current diagnostic capability.

Government of Canada makes rapid antigen tests available to more small and medium-sized organizations through new pharmacy partners

Retrieved on: 
Friday, August 13, 2021
Pharmacy, Small business, VOC, Indigenous self-government in Canada, Contact tracing, Viral load, Public health, Heart, Vaccination, COVID-19, School, Hand, Organization, Variant of concern, Government, Canadian Red Cross, SMOS, Organic, Sobeys, Safety, Vaccine, Shoppers Drug Mart, Commerce, Animal, Pharmaceutical industry

Increasing local distribution points of rapid antigen tests makes it easier for small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) to implement workplace screening for their frontline employees and those returning to work in person.

Key Points: 
  • Increasing local distribution points of rapid antigen tests makes it easier for small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) to implement workplace screening for their frontline employees and those returning to work in person.
  • The Government of Canada is providing free rapid tests for this initiative; however, pharmacies may charge a small handling fee for each box of 25 tests.
  • The Government of Canada is expanding the distribution of free rapid tests through a one-stop portal by making it easier for SMOs to find a local pharmacy that is distributing rapid antigen tests in their community.
  • Rapid antigen testsalso referred to as rapid screens or rapid testsare easy to administer, and produce results in as little as 15 minutes.

Arcturus Announces Approval of a Clinical Trial Application to Advance ARCT-154, a Next Generation STARR™ mRNA Vaccine Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant and Other Variants of Concern

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 2, 2021
Infectious diseases, Health, Genetics, Pharmaceutical, Clinical trials, Coronaviridae, COVID-19 vaccines, Clinical trials, COVID-19, ARCT, Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, Variant of concern

Titers were determined by calculating the dilution that resulted in 50% inhibition of cells expressing GFP encoded by the pseudovirus, a surrogate of virus infection.

Key Points: 
  • Titers were determined by calculating the dilution that resulted in 50% inhibition of cells expressing GFP encoded by the pseudovirus, a surrogate of virus infection.
  • We are very pleased to advance ARCT-154 into a significant, staged Phase 3 clinical development study with our partner to target SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, including the Delta variant.
  • ARCT-154 utilizes Arcturus STARR mRNA technology, and our preclinical immunogenicity data demonstrates that our newly developed vaccine candidate elicits a strong neutralizing antibody immune response against the Delta variant and other variants of concern, said Joseph Payne, President and CEO of Arcturus.
  • Arcturus technologies are covered by its extensive patent portfolio (222 patents and patent applications, issued in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and other countries).

SpeeDx Launch Solution for SARS-CoV-2 Variant Analysis

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 26, 2021
Health, Infectious diseases, Clinical trials, Research, Science, Biotechnology, Coronaviridae, Sarbecovirus, Zoonoses, Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Variant of concern, Molecular diagnostics, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, DiaSorin

Ltd., a developer of innovative molecular diagnostic solutions, have launched a new product line of research reagents to support reflex variant analysis for circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC).

Key Points: 
  • Ltd., a developer of innovative molecular diagnostic solutions, have launched a new product line of research reagents to support reflex variant analysis for circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC).
  • Founded in 2009, SpeeDx is an Australian-based private company with subsidiary offices in Austin and London, and distributors across Europe.
  • SpeeDx specializes in molecular diagnostic solutions that go beyond simple detection to offer comprehensive information for improved patient management.
  • For more information on SpeeDx please see: https://plexpcr.com
    SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions.

ImmunoPrecise's PolyTope™ TATX-03 Antibody Cocktail Potently Neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant in in vitro Pseudovirus Assays

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 22, 2021
Biotechnology, General Health, Infectious diseases, Health, Clinical trials, Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Coronaviridae, SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.617, SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2 Kappa variant, SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant, SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant, Variant of concern

As such, the Company continuously validates, and has demonstrated to date, maintained neutralization potency of IPAs multi-antibody cocktail towards SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

Key Points: 
  • As such, the Company continuously validates, and has demonstrated to date, maintained neutralization potency of IPAs multi-antibody cocktail towards SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
  • IPA previously announced that TATX-03 demonstrated strong efficacy in reducing viral load in vivo using a hamster challenge model and potently neutralized pseudovirus of Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Beta (B.1.351) variants in vitro.
  • Additional evaluation of virus neutralization potency in an in vitro pseudovirus-based assay revealed that IPAs TATX-03 anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody cocktail is also not affected by the rapidly spreading Delta variant (B.1.617.2).
  • Parallel reactivity screening of the individual antibodies of TATX-03 revealed differential susceptibility of the lead components towards the Delta (B.1.617.1) variant with the majority showing maintained binding.

Eurofins Launches a New Multiplex PCR Assay for Rapid Detection of the B.1.617 “India” SARS-CoV-2 Variant

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 3, 2021
Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Managed care, Health, Medical devices, Infectious diseases, Hospitals, Other Health, Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Sarbecovirus, Branches of biology, SARS-CoV-2, Eurofins Scientific, Biology, Lineage B.1.617, Lineage B.1.351, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Severe acute respiratory syndrome, Variant of concern

Eurofins Technologies (Paris:ERF) announces the launch of its GSD NovaType III SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay, developed for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern including B.1.617 (India), B.1.427/B.1.429 (California/USA), B.1.351 (South Africa) or P.1 (Brazil).

Key Points: 
  • Eurofins Technologies (Paris:ERF) announces the launch of its GSD NovaType III SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR assay, developed for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern including B.1.617 (India), B.1.427/B.1.429 (California/USA), B.1.351 (South Africa) or P.1 (Brazil).
  • The assay facilitates the identification of the relevant mutations E484Q, E484K and L452R in one reaction combined with the simultaneous discrimination from the S gene E484 wildtype variant.
  • These mutations have been associated with reports of potential decreased efficacy of certain vaccines and an increase in the transmissibility of the virus.
  • Eurofins Technologies is committed to continue to rapidly adapt its product offering to the meet the evolving challenges of SARS-CoV-2.

Scripps Research Institute testing shows Viraleze highly active against UK COVID strain

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Occupational safety and health, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Variant of concern, Lineage B.1.1.7, Lineage B.1.351, Health, LloydsPharmacy

Starpharma is alsotesting the Japan/Brazil and South African variants of COVID, with the results expected in the coming weeks.

Key Points: 
  • Starpharma is alsotesting the Japan/Brazil and South African variants of COVID, with the results expected in the coming weeks.
  • The antiviral testing was conducted by the renowned Scripps Research Institute in the US, with the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2, which has been classified as a variant of concern.
  • The UK variant was recently reported to be responsible for over 98% of the positive COVID infections in England and linked to multiple outbreaks worldwide.
  • Viraleze is registered for sale in Europe and the UK, and is available through one of the UK's largest pharmacy chains, LloydsPharmacy.

Seegene begins exporting its latest COVID-19 variant tests around the world to help contain spread of pandemic

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 12, 2021
Articles, Variants of SARS-CoV-2, Health, Global health, Pandemics, Zoonoses, COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Lineage B.1.1.7, 501.V2 variant, Virus, Variant of concern

The variant test can detect virus variants including B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1.

Key Points: 
  • The variant test can detect virus variants including B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1.
  • "Seegene will continue to closely monitor developments on the virus variant front and provide additional variant tests to help contain the spread of the virus and put an end to the pandemic.
  • the so-called "UK variant" has proven to be not only more contagious but also deadlier, raising alarm across the world.
  • Seegene continues to set new standards in MDx providing new, cost-effective innovations.\n'