12 February 2020

LGC and customers expediting coronavirus diagnostic solutions

As the coronavirus continues to spread globally, LGC, Biosearch Technologies is working closely with its customers to ensure that mission-critical oligo chemistries, controls and components for detection kits are available where and when necessary.

Biosearch Technologies is partnering with Co-Diagnostics in expediting the manufacturing process of the CoPrimer™ components of its screening test designed to identify coronavirus.

Mark Dearden, VP of Strategy and Marketing at LGC, Biosearch Technologies, said, “We are very pleased to partner with key kit developers such as Co-Diagnostics to support their rapid delivery of kits for diagnosis, surveillance and research into 2019-nCov.”

Dwight Egan, Co-Diagnostics CEO remarked, “After a concerted effort by Company scientists and laboratory technicians, I am pleased to report that our unique and rapid development process has culminated in a test with excellent characteristics.

“Our dedicated team will continue to work to perform additional verifications and preparations to quickly make the test components available to laboratories around the world, for validation with human samples. We express our appreciation to LGC BioSearch for expediting the manufacturing process of the CoPrimer™ components of the test. Co-Diagnostics looks forward to providing updates on our test progress as we plan to make it available to affected markets.”

Biosearch Technologies is the inventor of specific chemistries, such as Black Hole Quencher® (BHQ®), BlackBerry® Quencher (BBQ-650®) and other critical dyes and components for diagnostic kit developers. It has previously provided detection solutions for viruses including influenza, H1N1 (swine flu), Zika, and Ebola.

In addition, Biosearch Technologies is partnering with LifeRiver, a leading PCR-based molecular diagnostics solution provider, to develop and manufacture real time PCR diagnostic kits.

LGC’s SeraCare Life Sciences, a manufacturer and leading partner to global in vitro diagnostic manufacturers and clinical laboratories, has meanwhile announced the development of molecular reference materials for coronavirus utilizing its proprietary AccuPlex™ recombinant technology.  The control material is being produced in collaboration with several diagnostic manufacturers to support development, evaluation, and validation of molecular test methods directed to 2019-nCoV.