When SARS-CoV-2 was first reported, Thermo Fisher Scientific quickly launched an assay to detect the virus and pursued regulatory authorizations. Thermo Fisher’s PCR-based COVID-19 test is now available in 175 countries worldwide. As COVID-19 continues to spread in parts of the world, economies continue to reopen, and healthcare providers look ahead to the next flu season, demand for testing remains strong. To answer that demand, Thermo Fisher now has the capacity to manufacture more than 20 million tests per week.
For labs seeking to bolster their testing capabilities to address the ongoing public health crisis, Thermo Fisher’s Peter Friebe, Ph.D., senior manager, clinical applications and marketing support, Genetic Testing Solutions, recently presented a webinar for Clinical Lab Products to overview how the company’s COVID-19 testing solutions address challenges and pain points in the laboratory.
SARS-CoV-2 Detection
During the webinar, Dr. Friebe described the TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit workflow, which includes sample prep, RT-PCR and integrated software that automatically validates each run. The kit was designed with turnaround time in mind, providing results in less than three hours with a 96-well plate and in six and a half hours with a 384-well plate. Dr. Friebe explained that a lab with two full-time employees per shift using a Kingfisher Flex System and two RT-PCR systems (both 96-well) can run up to 2,820 samples per day by staggering samples.
High-Throughput Testing
When higher throughput is desired, labs have several options to consider. As one option, they can add instruments and employees to their lab to handle increased testing. Another option is to outsource testing to a third party – but this can take months to set up. As an alternative, as Dr. Friebe highlighted during the webinar, they can adopt an automated solution to scale up testing with minimal labor resources. Thermo Fisher’s Amplitude Solution requires only four full-time employees and can scale up to 8,000 tests per 24-hour shift.
Preparing for Next Flu Season
While the last flu season was very mild, “the next outbreak might be a lot more severe,” Dr. Friebe cautioned during the webinar. He added, “because both viruses do share the same clinical symptoms, it will be important that laboratories are ready for diagnostic testing.” The TaqPath COVID-19, Flu A, Flu B Combo Kit is an all-in-one RT-PCR assay that can detect and differentiate between SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and Influenza B in a single test.
SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance
The TaqCheck SARS-CoV-2 Fast PCR Assay* is optimized for surveillance applications. Using raw saliva samples, it eliminates the need for sample prep to provide a simplified workflow, increased testing efficiency and capacity, and accelerated turnaround times – a 96-well plate can be run in under two hours, and by staggering samples a 394-well plate can be completed in less than three hours. With no sample extraction needed, it also eliminates the need for the Kingfisher system and reduces use of consumables.
Detecting New Variants
With the emergence of highly transmissible new variants, the TaqMan SARS-CoV-2 Mutation Panel* offers fast and convenient mutation verification. After clinical testing is done using the TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit, if a sample tests positive the mutation panel can be used to identify possible mutations. It allows labs to customize from a menu of 22 mutations, including key mutations known to be present in the B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 and P.2 variants.
To learn more about Thermo Fisher Scientific’s COVID-19 Testing Solutions, please download the on-demand webinar or visit thermofisher.com/covid19.
*For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.