Singapore, January 30, 2020 – Vela Diagnostics has announced the development of the ViroKeyTM SA201 2019-nCoV RT-PCR Test, a new test kit for the detection of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), otherwise known as the Wuhan Coronavirus.
The Wuhan Coronavirus was first identified in mid-December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed by China’s health ministry. According to Chinese health agencies, there are more than 7,000 confirmed cases in China and 170 fatalities have resulted from the infection thus far. There is a dire need for a fast, high-throughput and accurate diagnostic method to provide timely treatment for those infected and to prevent the spread of the virus.
The ViroKeyTM SA201 2019-nCoV RT-PCR Test will be able to detect and differentiate the Wuhan Coronavirus from other closely related coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS. To enable high-throughput processing of 96 samples in 4 hours, the test is configured for an automated workflow consisting of the SentosaTM SX101 instrument, in conjunction with the Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Dx Real-Time PCR instrument (ABI 7500 Fast Dx) or the SentosaTM SA201. The SentosaTM SA201 platform also supports other tests such as the SentosaTM SA201 HSV-1/2 PCR Test (U.S. FDA approved) and the SentosaTM SA201 ZIKV RT-PCR Test (for use under Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. FDA). As time-to-market is critical to address the urgent need for the test, a manual kit will also be made available to facilitate the fast adoption of the test by laboratories with existing ABI 7500 Fast Dx PCR instruments.
The ViroKeyTM SA201 2019-nCoV RT-PCR Test is expected to be commercially available by mid-March this year.
Concurrently, Vela Diagnostics and Great Basin Scientific are co-developing a 2019-nCoV assay for use on Great Basin’s sample-to-result diagnostic system. The Great Basin system utilizes a disposable cartridge with fully integrated reagents and internal controls. The Great Basin automated bench-top analyzer performs all steps in the assay, visually interprets the results, and provides a digital report of the results. Great Basin is targeting to deliver a diagnostic result in under 90 minutes for the 2019-nCoV assay.
About Vela Diagnostics
Vela Diagnostics is a leading provider of an automated IVD Next–Generation Sequencing (NGS) workflow in the global diagnostics market. VELA’s real-time PCR and NGS applications are available on an integrated SentosaTM platform; this provides a unique ability to leverage one system for two workflows, while carrying out tests for various targets in order to answer current clinical and research questions, as well as to drive laboratory operational efficiency. All SentosaTM products listed above are by Vela Diagnostics. For more information, visit www.veladx.com.
About Great Basin ScientificGreat Basin Scientific is a molecular diagnostics company that commercializes breakthrough chip-based technologies. Great Basin Scientific is dedicated to developing simple, yet powerful, sample-to-result technology and products that provide fast, multiple-pathogen diagnoses of infectious diseases. Our vision is to make molecular diagnostic testing so simple and cost-effective that every patient will be tested for every serious infection, reducing misdiagnoses and significantly limiting the spread of infectious disease. More information can be found on the company’s website at http://gbscience.com.