Regulatory news:
Eurofins Technologies (PARIS: ERF) continues to innovate and develop a wide range of diagnostic solutions for COVID-19, in particular in response to the threat of new mutations.
Researchers have identified a new SARS-CoV-2 variant with a worryingly high number of mutations in the tip protein. The variant, first identified in Botswana in November 2021, is spreading rapidly across South Africa.
The variant contains more than 30 mutations for the tip protein – the SARS-CoV-2 protein, which recognizes host cells and is the main target for the body’s natural or vaccine-induced immune responses. Similar mutations found in variants such as Delta and Alpha have been associated with increased infection rates and potential resistance to infection-blocking antibodies. [1]. However, the combination of these mutations appears to be unique to this variant. No related variants have been identified so far [2].
It is important to quickly identify clusters in order to limit the spread of this variant. Through Gold Standard Diagnostics Europe, Eurofins provides the toolkit for quickly identifying variant B.1.1.529. GSD NovaType Select is a set of RT-PCR assays to specifically detect mutations in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 in about 1 hour, much faster than genome sequencing methods.
GSD NovaType Select P681H can differentiate variant B.1.1.529 from the currently dominant Delta variant and can be used as a large-scale screening test for PCR-positive samples. In addition, all samples positive for the P681H mutation should be tested with GSD NovaType Select T478K and K417N to further differentiate B.1.1.529 from other circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. [3].
Gilles Martin, CEO of Eurofins, said: “I am very pleased with the speed with which we have brought a new test to detect this variant on the market. We have maintained a significant testing capacity across our markets, which together with innovations like this, positions us really well to help deliver highly accurate, variant-detecting COVID tests on a significant scale to help navigate the pandemic. ”
References:
[1] https://ift.tt/3la3oIX
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh4XMueP1zQ&t=709s
[3] https://ift.tt/3uLWtrH
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Eurofins tests for life. With 55,000 employees across a network of 900 laboratories in over 50 countries, Eurofins’ companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analysis methods.
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See the source version at businesswire.com: https://ift.tt/3xv8e8D
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