Mumbai: Roche Diagnostics has announced that its testing kits are capable of handling all new variants of Covid-19 virus.
“From Alpha to Delta to Omicron to the next variant of the virus that causes COVID-19, we regularly investigate the impact of mutations of SARS-CoV-2 on our assays. Based on our global surveillance team’s in silico (computer-based) analyses, the cobas® SARS-CoV-2 is predicted to detect all variants including the omicron variant (including sub-lineages BA.1 and BA.2). Also, based on our assay design, no impact of the variants including omicron is expected on the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Elecsys® SARS-CoV-2 Antigen assays. As new variant strains emerge, we are swiftly taking adequate steps to ensure that our tests perform as expected,” mentioned its statement issued on January 6, 2022.
According to Narendra Varde, Managing Director, Roche Diagnostics India & Neighbouring Markets said, “We continue to monitor the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants and remain committed to providing laboratories with high-quality molecular and serology testing solutions that aid in diagnosing affected patients. We have helped build testing infrastructure in the country through installation of very high-throughput testing instruments in several state medical and ICMR institutions. Our cobas® SARS-CoV-2 assay has been used extensively in the country during the pandemic and continues to remain reliable and useful with the emerging Omicron variant.”
Variants of Public Interest as of December 9, 2021 (including Omicron BA.1 & BA.2)
WHO Labelled |
Country First Detected |
cobas® SARS-CoV-2 assay |
Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay |
Alpha |
UK |
Detected |
Not affected |
Beta |
South Africa |
Detected |
Not affected |
Gamma |
Japan/Brazil |
Detected |
Not affected |
Delta |
India |
Detected |
Not affected |
Eta |
Africa |
Detected |
Not affected |
Iota |
USA |
Detected |
Not affected |
Lambda |
Peru |
Detected |
Not affected |
Mu |
Colombia |
Detected |
Not affected |
Omicron (BA. 1 & BA.2) |
South Africa |
Detected |
Not affected |