NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Cepheid today announced it has received CE marking for a next-generation version of its molecular test for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
The Xpert MRSA NxG identifies mecA- and mecC-containing strains of MRSA as well emerging SCCmec subtypes. It has enhanced features, including room-temperature storage, validation on multiple swab types, and the ability to rule out empty cassette strains, the firm noted in a statement.
The new assay joins a GeneXpert System menu that includes 23 tests internationally and it will begin shipping in April to countries accepting the CE mark.
Cepheid noted in a third-quarter earnings call last year that some customers have reevaluated and narrowed the target population for MRSA surveillance programs but that this is a headwind faced by all molecular test manufacturers. MRSA is reportedly Cepheid's largest test market, and flat year-over-year test volumes there recently influenced Wells Fargo's downgrade of the firm.