BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, and CerTest Biotec announced the CE mark for a molecular test that can detect and distinguish between the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351) and Gamma (P.1) SARS-CoV-2 variants.

VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 Variant Real-Time PCR Detection Kit for BD MAX™ can be used as a combined test with VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 (N1+N2) Real-Time PCR Detection Kit for BD MAX™, or as a reflex test to run variant identification on a SARS-CoV-2 positive sample.

Nelson Fernandes, managing director of CerTest BioTec, added “The VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 (N1+N2) Real-Time Detection Kit for BD MAX™ and VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 Variant Real Time PCR Detection Kit for BD MAX™ are available with three alternatives for specimen collection: nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and saliva. Since the same single specimen can be used to run both assays to detect SARS-CoV-2 and test for its variants, the system provides a comprehensive solution for SARS-CoV-2 testing.”

The test snaps into the test-specific position on the BD MAX™ ExK™ TNA extraction strip, supplied by BD. It is compatible with BD MAX™ System, a molecular diagnostic platform. Each unit can return results in two to three hours and is capable of analyzing hundreds of samples over a 24-hour period. The new variant detection assay is part of a robust COVID-19 testing solution on the BD MAX™ System, which also includes the ability to run asymptomatic individuals using BD SARS-CoV-2 Reagents for BD MAX™ System and test saliva samples with both BD and VIASURE kits.