CAP TODAY Pathology/Laboratory Medicine/Laboratory Management
March 25, 2021—Roche launched the Cobas SARS-CoV-2 Variant Set 1 Test to detect and differentiate mutations found in variants that originated in the U.K. (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), and Brazil (P.1). This research use only laboratory test can be used to help scientists track mutation prevalence and to assess potential impact on diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics.
The test, for use with the Cobas 6800/8800 systems, is an automated, multiplex, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the rapid in vitro qualitative detection and discrimination of select SARS-CoV-2 mutations E484K, N501Y, and del 69–70. The test contains the respective primers and probes provided in the ready-made 384-test cassette. Automated data management is performed by the Cobas 6800/8800 software, which assigns test results for all tests. Results can be reviewed directly on the system screen and printed as a report.