Bio-Rad Laboratories SARS-CoV-2 Variant RT-PCR Assays

Bio-Rad Laboratories has launched research-use-only SARS-CoV-2 variant assays to detect variants of concern, including the P1, B1351, and B117 viral variants. The Bio-Rad SARS-CoV-2 Variant RT-PCR Assays are single-tube duplex assays designed to support detection of a specific mutation in the FAM channel and wild-type sequence in the HEX channel using either Droplet Digital PCR or RT-PCR, according to the company's website. The assays may enable laboratories to prioritize samples to send for next-generation sequencing, Bio-Rad noted.