COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests Detect all Published Virus Strains

Novacyt announces that following the detection of a new variant of COVID-19 by the UK’s COVID-19 Genomics UK consortium, known as VUI-202012/01, the company has carried out a detailed analysis of the mutations in this new variant and in all published COVID-19 strains to fully assess the reliability of its existing diagnostic tests. 

The results of the in silico (computer simulation) analysis of the sequenced mutations show that the company’s polymerase chain reaction product portfolio, based around a single and a two gene target for COVID-19, remain able to detect all published COVID-19 strains with the same high level of accuracy, including VUI-202012/01.

The company notes this new strain of the virus has also been identified in other countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia.

Graham Mullis, Chief Executive Officer of Novacyt, commented: “These data support the continued use of our tests, which remain accurate in detecting all published strains of COVID-19, including the latest variant. As part of our surveillance programme, we are committed to analysing our selected gene targets for COVID-19 against new published viral sequences to demonstrate ongoing accuracy and performance. We also remain in close contact with the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS as we continue to focus our efforts on deploying our tests to hospitals and laboratories across the UK, as well as to our customers around the world.”