| News
Roche Coronavirus test gets FDA approval
16.03.2020
The US regulatory authority has authorized a test developed by the Basel-based pharmaceutical company Roche to detect the SARS-CoV 2 virus. Due to Roche’s work, numerous additional tests can be carried out in the USA, and for this reason Roche received the express thanks of President Trump.

Roche logo on building (Img: Roche)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the cobas SARS-CoV-2 test developed by Roche on an emergency use basis, as detailed in a press release issued by the Basel-based pharmaceutical company. The coronavirus test will therefore be available in all markets that accept the CE mark.
The Roche test will allow the number of tests to check whether a person has been infected with the coronavirus in the USA to be significantly increased. In remarks made by Donald Trump, the US President commented: “I want to thank Roche, a great company, for their incredible work”. This will allow an additional 1.4 million tests to be carried out in the near future, with an additional 5 million tests even possible within a month, Trump explained. In addition to praising Roche, the President also expressed thanks to Thermo Fisher.
In order to carry out the coronavirus tests developed by Roche, hospitals and laboratories require either of the cobas 6800 or cobas 8800 automated systems. These are widespread in the USA and around the world, according to Roche. The comprehensive testing capacities that are now available will allow rapid, effective reactions to combat this pandemic, explains Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche Diagnostics, in the press release. With cobas 6800/8800, a total of 96 tests can be analyzed within the space of three hours. Extra test stations increase this number further still. With cobas SARS-CoV-2, the results of the coronavirus tests are available within three-and-a-half hours, Roche states.
Share this article
Sign up to receive our newsletter in your inbox.
You might also be interested in
Genedata expanding its user network
The Japanese biopharmaceutical firm Ajinomoto is to use the Genedata solution to accelerate its drug development processes at its site...
Read MoreHow Moderna is growing in Switzerland
The number one rule in real estate is “Location, Location, Location.” The global biotech company Moderna found its location in...
Read MoreSandoz decides on Basel for headquarters
Sandoz AG will continue to have its headquarters in Basel as an independent company. The separation from Novartis is expected...
Read MoreVectivBio sold for approximately 1 billion dollars
The takeover of VectivBio is now being finalized: the Boston-based firm Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, which specializes in gastrointestinal medicine, has agreed...
Read MoreUniversity of Basel and RocketVax present new Covid vaccine
Researchers from the University of Basel have developed a new concept for a Covid vaccine in collaboration with the biotech...
Read MoreRami Swiss and Elbit Systems now manufacturing in Jura
The newly established company Rami Swiss has inaugurated a new production facility in Courtételle in the canton of Jura together...
Read MoreBasel to become Europe’s Silicon Valley of biotech
Silicon Valley is synonymous with technology and innovation, and home to dozens of Fortune 1000 companies and thousands of startups....
Read MoreRoche and Novartis among global leaders for research spending
In 2022, Roche invested 16 billion euros in research and development overall. This puts the Basel-based life sciences firm in...
Read MoreRoche to found Institute for Human Biology
Roche has announced that it will be establishing the Institute of Human Biology in Basel. Up to 250 employees will...
Read MoreProvectis establishes presence in Basel
Provectis Healthcare has chosen Basel as the location for its headquarters. The company is striving to become the partner of...
Read More