New High-Throughput RT-PCR Testing System for SARS-CoV-2 Can Process Up to 35,000 Tests per Day

LGC Genomics (Middlesex, UK) has submitted its HTP RT-PCR testing system for SARS-CoV-2 to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). As the need for SARS-CoV-2 testing continues to grow for both diagnostic and screening applications, many organizations are looking to expand or create testing capacity. For existing diagnostic labs, limited supplies of instruments, reagents and laboratory technologists make getting high volumes of testing done in a timely manner challenging.

With the HTP RT-PCR testing system for SARS-CoV-2, EUA request submitted, testing labs can leverage LGC's expertise in automated sample preparation and RT-PCR workflows in a ready-to-deploy sample-to-answer solution. LGC’s SARS-CoV-2 testing workflow is an optimized hardware, reagents, consumables, and software bundle that includes the high-throughput oKtopure automated nucleic acid extraction system, the footprint-friendly IntelliQube (qPCR) and Hydrocycler2 (end-point PCR) platforms, Biosearch Technologies’ validated SARS-CoV-2 reagents, enzymes, and probe and primer sets, and UgenTec’s AI-powered workflow automation, PCR analysis and reporting software. Testing capacity can be expanded from hundreds or thousands of samples to as many as 35,000 samples per day with minimal need for additional staff, instrumentation, or lab space.

"Limited supplies of instruments, reagents and laboratory technicians have made it challenging to deliver high volumes of testing in a timely manner," said Mark Dearden, Managing Director, LGC Genomics. "The creation of new facilities and conversion of research labs into testing labs introduces the complexities of creating new, regulatory-compliant workflows. Our solution can enhance testing strategies and ramp up throughput of testing per day. If used widely, our ability to support large-scale testing could lead to enhanced management of virus response, which ultimately could unlock safe returns to work and get economies moving once again."

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