Roche launched the cobas SARS-CoV-2 Variant Set 1 Test to detect and differentiate mutations found in SARS-CoV-2 variants that originated in the United Kingdom (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), and Brazil (P.1), according to a company news release.
The test runs on high-throughput systems and is for research purposes only.
Variants of B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and P.1 lineage gained prominence in late 2020, with each carrying a number of genomic mutations. Among them, mutations E484K, N501Y and del 69-70 are located in the spike protein, the region that enables the virus to attach to and enter the human cell. Studies have suggested that these mutations may be linked to increased disease transmissibility, and possibly decreased therapeutic and vaccine efficacy.
The cobas SARS-CoV-2 Variant Set 1 Test runs on cobas 6800/8800 systems. Pre-optimized assay design, ready-to-use test cassettes and predefined software parameters enable laboratories to reduce testing complexity and increase walkaway time, Roche said.
