Absolute Antibody Ltd., an industry-leading provider of recombinant antibody products and services, has announced a partnership with University of Zurich to offer synthetic nanobodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Under the partnership, the original nanobodies and newly engineered formats are now available to the global research community for use as serological controls and in COVID-19 therapeutic development....
LGC SeraCare is pleased to announce that the AccuPlex™ SARS-CoV-2 Reference Material Kit v2 is now CE-marked for in vitro diagnostic use (CE-IVD). With this change in regulatory status, the new product name is AccuPlex SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Controls Kit. Bearing the CE mark and IVD symbol signifies that the AccuPlex SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Controls Kit meets extensive design control requirements....
Tackling a pandemic is a massive effort that calls people from disciplines far and wide. Politicians, public figures and, of course, medical staff are all deeply involved in the response. Hidden just behind the front lines, however, are laboratories that are working to bring these unprecedented times to an end. Here, Lab Innovations 2020 hears from Anthony Cooke, CEO of Cambridge Clinical Laboratories...
The COVID-19 rapid antibody test, developed by Abingdon Health, the medical device manufacturer leading the UK-Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC), has received its CE mark. This means it is approved for professional use in the UK and EU. This milestone means the rapid test, for detection of IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) is now available for distribution for professional use....
Empirical Bioscience announce that their QuantiTASE and QuantiTASE PLUS One Step RT-qPCR RT-qPCR Kits have been successfully tested in assays using EUA authorized qPCR detection kits using the established CDC testing protocol. The test amplifies and identifies genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in one step. The QuantiTASE RT-qPCR Assay Kits works by converting the CoV-2 RNA into DNA and amplifying to detect the presence of pathogenic material in patient samples....
Avacta Group plc, the developer of Affimer® biotherapeutics and reagents, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a collaboration with Integumen plc to evaluate recently generated Affimer reagents that bind the SARS-COV-2 spike protein for the detection of the coronavirus in waste water, to provide a real-time alert system to warn of localised COVID-19 outbreaks...
A team of scientists at the University of Glasgow has identified a cat in the UK that was infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) in partnership with the Veterinary Diagnostic Service (VDS) of the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine made the discovery as part of their joint research programme...
An article in the June 18, 2020 edition of the journal Nature Biotechnology details a timely project at the University of California, Berkeley: how to create a CLIA-certified COVID-19 testing lab from a research lab, in only three weeks. Read more about how we radically reduced a 6-12 month timeline....
Creo Medical has developed its Cool Plasma technology, which has been shown to be highly effective in killing bacteria, with a 99.99% kill rate on tough bacteria such as MRSA, E. coli and C. difficile. Initial testing has shown it to be effective in inactivating the Covid-19 virus. The company believes it could be very useful in decontaminating and sterilising medical equipment, such as PPE and ventilators, and cleaning and sterilising hospital wards, ambulances, and other enclosed spaces, as well as for sterilising wounds.
AMSBIO has launched a range of ready-to-use SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein coupled magnetic beads that combine convenience, minimum non-specific binding and developed operational protocols saving you time and hassle. Developed for immunocapture, cell stimulating, biopanning and flow cytometry applications these new products use biotinylated SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein pre-coupled to streptavidin conjugated magnetic beads, which can capture the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody or ACE2 protein from cell or serum sample....
Avacta Group plc, the developer of Affimer® biotherapeutics and reagents, is pleased to announce that it has begun work with the UK government’s CONDOR programme to evaluate and clinically validate the high throughput COVID-19 bead-assisted mass spectrometry (“BAMS™”) laboratory assay developed with Adeptrix. The COVID-19 National Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Platform (CONDOR), recently funded by the National Institute for Health Research...
New England Biolabs® (NEB®) has announced the launch of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Colorimetric LAMP Assay Kit, a Research Use Only (RUO) product that can be used for the detection of novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The kit serves as a simple alternative to RT-qPCR and enables visual detection of amplification of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in just 30 minutes.
PerkinElmer, Inc. a global leader committed to innovating for a healthier world, has announced the launch of a dry blood spot (DBS) based test for SARS-CoV-2 IgG using its GSP®/DELFIA® platform, enabling processing of up to 5,000 samples per day. The finger-prick sample collection device allows for both decentralized sample collection and high-throughput testing. The product is being marketed as a CE-IVD test, and the Company plans to apply for....
Bruker's BioSpin PreClinical Imaging Division reports the use of the Bruker SkyScan 1278 in vivo micro-CT system at the KU Leuven, Belgium, to support COVID-19-focused research. This research will leverage the university's expertise in preclinical testing to study the efficacy of vaccine and drug candidates in COVID-19 infection models. These will be some of the first in vivo imaging experiments on COVID-19 models using mice and hamsters...
A Miele washer disinfector proved a key product to aid the UK Ventilator Challenge in the fight against covid-19. Ford UK is a key member of the Ventilator Challenge UK consortium and pledged to produce 15,000 Penlon ESO 2 ventilators at its Dagenham plant by July. Miele’s PG 8581 under-counter washer disinfector helped to speed up the processing of a vital component to ensure there was no bottleneck in production...
Porvair Sciences reports on the Vyon® porous plastic filters it is supplying to University of Cambridge spinout company - Diagnostics for the Real World for their game-changing SAMBA II machine that provides diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in under 90 minutes. SAMBA II provides a simple and accurate system for the diagnosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19....
Scientists in academic centres and companies around the world desperately search for novel therapeutics and vaccines to treat and prevent COVID-19. However, with lockdowns and limited access to laboratories, researchers are being forced to work from home, putting research continuity at risk. To help scientists continue their life-saving R&D, and ensure research continuity....
A unique type of blood testing equipment manufactured by a small company in West Wales is emerging as an important tool for understanding how Covid-19 affects the body and for choosing the best treatments for patients. Benson Viscometers designs and manufactures blood viscometers which, put simply, measure the thickness of blood....
Researchers have developed a family of engineered nanobodies which neutralise the SARS-CoV-2 virus, targeting the viral spike protein in a novel way. The research team from The Rosalind Franklin Institute, working with colleagues at Diamond Light Source, Oxford University and Public Health England, have hailed the breakthrough as a potential therapy....
EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics company, announces that it has added a novel viral transport media for the safe sample handling and testing of multiple infectious diseases from a single swab to its product range. PrimeStore® MTM (Molecular Transport Medium) is an FDA cleared and CE IVD marked sample collection device which deactivates viruses, including COVID-19, flu A, flu B, HIV and TB....
LGC SeraCare continues to innovate its portfolio of products supporting SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. Initially designed to target the published CDC and WHO consensus sequences, the new AccuPlex™ SARS-CoV-2 Verification Panel and Reference Material Kit are now available with full SARS-CoV-2 viral genome coverage. This expansion allows for compatibility with any SARS-CoV-2 assay target, while maintaining the safety features....
Xebios Diagnostics, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, manufactures high quality, ready-to-use culture media for microbiological diagnostic applications, and is using DOSE IT to aliquot viral transport medium (VTM) into sterile screw-capped tubes to meet market demand. There has been an unprecedented increase in demand for diagnostic testing to identify cases and track the virus spread...
Absolute Antibody Ltd., an industry-leading provider of recombinant antibody products and services, has announced a partnership with University of Zurich to offer synthetic nanobodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Under the partnership, the original nanobodies and newly engineered formats are now available to the global research community for use as serological controls and in COVID-19 therapeutic development....
LGC SeraCare is pleased to announce that the AccuPlex™ SARS-CoV-2 Reference Material Kit v2 is now CE-marked for in vitro diagnostic use (CE-IVD). With this change in regulatory status, the new product name is AccuPlex SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Controls Kit. Bearing the CE mark and IVD symbol signifies that the AccuPlex SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Controls Kit meets extensive design control requirements....
Tackling a pandemic is a massive effort that calls people from disciplines far and wide. Politicians, public figures and, of course, medical staff are all deeply involved in the response. Hidden just behind the front lines, however, are laboratories that are working to bring these unprecedented times to an end. Here, Lab Innovations 2020 hears from Anthony Cooke, CEO of Cambridge Clinical Laboratories...
The COVID-19 rapid antibody test, developed by Abingdon Health, the medical device manufacturer leading the UK-Rapid Test Consortium (UK-RTC), has received its CE mark. This means it is approved for professional use in the UK and EU. This milestone means the rapid test, for detection of IgG antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) is now available for distribution for professional use....
Empirical Bioscience announce that their QuantiTASE and QuantiTASE PLUS One Step RT-qPCR RT-qPCR Kits have been successfully tested in assays using EUA authorized qPCR detection kits using the established CDC testing protocol. The test amplifies and identifies genetic material from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in one step. The QuantiTASE RT-qPCR Assay Kits works by converting the CoV-2 RNA into DNA and amplifying to detect the presence of pathogenic material in patient samples....
Avacta Group plc, the developer of Affimer® biotherapeutics and reagents, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a collaboration with Integumen plc to evaluate recently generated Affimer reagents that bind the SARS-COV-2 spike protein for the detection of the coronavirus in waste water, to provide a real-time alert system to warn of localised COVID-19 outbreaks...
A team of scientists at the University of Glasgow has identified a cat in the UK that was infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Researchers from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) in partnership with the Veterinary Diagnostic Service (VDS) of the University’s School of Veterinary Medicine made the discovery as part of their joint research programme...
An article in the June 18, 2020 edition of the journal Nature Biotechnology details a timely project at the University of California, Berkeley: how to create a CLIA-certified COVID-19 testing lab from a research lab, in only three weeks. Read more about how we radically reduced a 6-12 month timeline....
Creo Medical has developed its Cool Plasma technology, which has been shown to be highly effective in killing bacteria, with a 99.99% kill rate on tough bacteria such as MRSA, E. coli and C. difficile. Initial testing has shown it to be effective in inactivating the Covid-19 virus. The company believes it could be very useful in decontaminating and sterilising medical equipment, such as PPE and ventilators, and cleaning and sterilising hospital wards, ambulances, and other enclosed spaces, as well as for sterilising wounds.
AMSBIO has launched a range of ready-to-use SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein coupled magnetic beads that combine convenience, minimum non-specific binding and developed operational protocols saving you time and hassle. Developed for immunocapture, cell stimulating, biopanning and flow cytometry applications these new products use biotinylated SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein pre-coupled to streptavidin conjugated magnetic beads, which can capture the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody or ACE2 protein from cell or serum sample....
Avacta Group plc, the developer of Affimer® biotherapeutics and reagents, is pleased to announce that it has begun work with the UK government’s CONDOR programme to evaluate and clinically validate the high throughput COVID-19 bead-assisted mass spectrometry (“BAMS™”) laboratory assay developed with Adeptrix. The COVID-19 National Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Platform (CONDOR), recently funded by the National Institute for Health Research...
New England Biolabs® (NEB®) has announced the launch of the SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Colorimetric LAMP Assay Kit, a Research Use Only (RUO) product that can be used for the detection of novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The kit serves as a simple alternative to RT-qPCR and enables visual detection of amplification of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in just 30 minutes. 
PerkinElmer, Inc.
Bruker's BioSpin PreClinical Imaging Division reports the use of the Bruker SkyScan 1278 in vivo micro-CT system at the KU Leuven, Belgium, to support COVID-19-focused research. This research will leverage the university's expertise in preclinical testing to study the efficacy of vaccine and drug candidates in COVID-19 infection models. These will be some of the first in vivo imaging experiments on COVID-19 models using mice and hamsters...
A Miele washer disinfector proved a key product to aid the UK Ventilator Challenge in the fight against covid-19. Ford UK is a key member of the Ventilator Challenge UK consortium and pledged to produce 15,000 Penlon ESO 2 ventilators at its Dagenham plant by July. Miele’s PG 8581 under-counter washer disinfector helped to speed up the processing of a vital component to ensure there was no bottleneck in production...
Porvair Sciences reports on the Vyon® porous plastic filters it is supplying to University of Cambridge spinout company - Diagnostics for the Real World for their game-changing SAMBA II machine that provides diagnosis of COVID-19 infection in under 90 minutes. SAMBA II provides a simple and accurate system for the diagnosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease COVID-19....
Scientists in academic centres and companies around the world desperately search for novel therapeutics and vaccines to treat and prevent COVID-19. However, with lockdowns and limited access to laboratories, researchers are being forced to work from home, putting research continuity at risk. To help scientists continue their life-saving R&D, and ensure research continuity....
A unique type of blood testing equipment manufactured by a small company in West Wales is emerging as an important tool for understanding how Covid-19 affects the body and for choosing the best treatments for patients. Benson Viscometers designs and manufactures blood viscometers which, put simply, measure the thickness of blood....
Researchers have developed a family of engineered nanobodies which neutralise the SARS-CoV-2 virus, targeting the viral spike protein in a novel way. The research team from The Rosalind Franklin Institute, working with colleagues at Diamond Light Source, Oxford University and Public Health England, have hailed the breakthrough as a potential therapy....
EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics company, announces that it has added a novel viral transport media for the safe sample handling and testing of multiple infectious diseases from a single swab to its product range. PrimeStore® MTM (Molecular Transport Medium) is an FDA cleared and CE IVD marked sample collection device which deactivates viruses, including COVID-19, flu A, flu B, HIV and TB....
LGC SeraCare continues to innovate its portfolio of products supporting SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. Initially designed to target the published CDC and WHO consensus sequences, the new AccuPlex™ SARS-CoV-2 Verification Panel and Reference Material Kit are now available with full SARS-CoV-2 viral genome coverage. This expansion allows for compatibility with any SARS-CoV-2 assay target, while maintaining the safety features....
Xebios Diagnostics, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, manufactures high quality, ready-to-use culture media for microbiological diagnostic applications, and is using DOSE IT to aliquot viral transport medium (VTM) into sterile screw-capped tubes to meet market demand. There has been an unprecedented increase in demand for diagnostic testing to identify cases and track the virus spread...