Skip to main content

Roche tests able to detect Omicron

| News

Roche tests able to detect Omicron

03.12.2021

The Roche subsidiary TIB Molbiol has developed new coronavirus testing kits that can also detect the new Omicron variant of the disease. These tests will serve research purposes. However, Roche diagnosis tests could also be used to detect Omicron infections in the future.

Roche logo on a building at the headquarters in Basel (img: Roche)

TIB Molbiol Syntheselabor GmbH, which was only taken over by Roche at the start of December, has developed a trio of new coronavirus tests, further details of which can be found in a press release issued by the Basel-based life sciences group. These tests are designed to uncover mutations seen in the new Omicron variant and are based on the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, which delivers the relevant results in real time. In presenting its new testing kits, Roche explains that they are among the first to specify the mutations of the recently discovered Omicron variant.

Employees at TIB Molbiol worked around the clock to develop the tests after the news broke regarding Omicron, explains Thomas Schinecker, CEO Roche Diagnostics. The tests could now help to improve understanding in connection with how Omicron spreads and behaves. This will benefit ongoing research and could accelerate the development of new treatments and vaccines.

While the new tests are to be exclusively used for research purposes, Roche also offers several coronavirus tests for diagnostic purposes. The SARS-CoV-2 Variant Set 1 test (RUO) is able to detect one of the mutations observed in the Omicron variants, meaning it can be used to diagnose Omicron cases, the press release explains.

Share this article

Sign up to receive our newsletter in your inbox.

You may also be interested in

biGENIUS receives 2 million euros for new cloud product

Software company biGENIUS, based in the Basel Area, has secured financing of 2 million euros. This funding was granted following...
Read More

Opterion Health secures investment of 6.5 million Swiss francs

Opterion Health has raised a total of 6.5 million Swiss francs as part of a financing round. The company, which...
Read More

TOLREMO receives 39 million US dollars in investments

TOLREMO Therapeutics has concluded a series A funding round with 39 million US dollars. The biotech company based in Basel...
Read More

Mazars opens tenth Swiss office in Basel

Mazars is now also present in Basel with a subsidiary as of September 1. This is the tenth Swiss location...
Read More

Medtech in Switzerland – bringing together traditional skills and hightech industry

How the intersection of traditional and novel skillsets in the Jura area is propelling Switzerland into a new era of...
Read More

Fondation Botnar supporting further research into pediatric health

The Basel-based Botnar Research Centre for Child Health has received a further donation of 50 million Swiss francs from the...
Read More

Do you have a question? We'd like to hear from you.