Multiplex PCR Platform Detects 21 Common Respiratory Organisms

A user-friendly multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) platform is capable of detecting 21 common respiratory viruses and bacteria.

The FilmArray is simplified molecular testing; easy-to-use, the massive multiplex PCR turns a sample into results in less than 1 hour. It requires only 5 minutes of hands-on time.

A product of Idaho Technology (ITI; Salt Lake City, UT, USA), the FilmArray integrates sample preparation, amplification, detection, and analysis into one system that is fully automated and is capable of rapidly detecting more than 100 targets in one sample.

Clinical trials of the FilmArray RP will be conducted at the Children's Medical Center (Dallas, TX, USA) in association with University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center, (Dallas, TX, USA); the Detroit Medical Center, (Detroit, MI, USA); and the Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC, USA).

Nasopharyngeal swab specimens from 1,000 patients will be tested using the FilmArray RP and compared to results from conventional as well as other molecular diagnostic technologies. If that the trials are successful, the company will submit a 510k application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Silver Spring, MD, USA) for use of the FilmArray RP as an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) product for patients with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection.

Kirk Ririe, CEO of Idaho Technology said, "The FilmArray RP is a powerful molecular diagnostic assay designed for comprehensive detection of common respiratory pathogens, and yet is still incredibly simple and easy to use," said Kirk Ririe, CEO of Idaho Technology.

Idaho Technology, Inc. licensed the rapid PCR technology from the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT, USA). The company has created many commercial instruments and reagents for use in applied and research fields. Several of these products, including the LightCycler Instrument, have been sublicensed to Roche Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland). Laboratory personnel, researchers, law enforcement officers, and soldiers in the field use the company's devices to detect or study disease-causing organisms.

Related Links:
Idaho Technology
Children's Medical Center
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Detroit Medical Center
Medical University of South Carolina
US Food and Drug Administration
Roche Diagnostics