Roche Nabs CE Mark for Three Cobas Respiratory Test Panels

Original from: genomeweb

Roche said on Wednesday that three of its molecular respiratory panels have received CE marking and have been launched in countries accepting the CE mark.

The PCR-based tests simultaneously detect and differentiate between common respiratory pathogens. One test is for influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial virus; one is for adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, and enterovirus/rhinovirus; and the third is for parainfluenza 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Running on the Cobas Omni Utility Channel for use with Cobas 6800/8800 systems, the tests can be performed together or individually from a single nasopharyngeal swab sample, the company said in a statement.

"Our latest set of syndromic respiratory solutions allows clinicians to choose the appropriate tests based on the healthcare setting, season, and patient needs," Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche Diagnostics, said in a statement. "By testing only what is medically relevant and necessary, we enable targeted therapy, avoid misuse of antibiotics, and reduce unnecessary intervention."

The Basel, Switzerland-based company added that it is "looking to expand availability of these tests beyond CE markets in the future."