BioGX Xfree COVID-19 Direct RT-PCR test

BioGX has announced an extraction-free, direct sample addition RT-PCR test for detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in patients suspected of COVID-19.

The Xfree COVID-19 Direct RT-PCR test is a complete test in a single vial, lyophilised in the BioGX Sample-Ready format. Just add water and the patient sample, and run the test on a validated real-time PCR instrument.

The fast and simple workflow is designed to help laboratories increase their testing capacity without adding expert personnel or automation. Direct addition of patient samples without any pre-processing or extraction not only overcomes critical reagents supply issues, it should also shorten the turnaround time for results. A single 96-well plate instrument can generate up to 1500 test results every 24 h, while a 384-well plate instrument can generate up to 6000 test results.

The test is validated for use on QuantStudio 5 and CFX Touch real-time PCR instruments with the most common specimen types — nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (throat) swabs with collections in UTM, UVT, VTM and saline. In addition to extraction-free direct testing, the product is validated to test samples extracted with magnetic beads or silica column extraction methods.

The test can be shipped anywhere in the world, with no refrigeration required.