FDA has granted emergency use authorization for the new Coronavirus Nucleic Acid Detection kit from PerkinElmer, Waltham, Mass. The kit is a real-time RT-PCR test using samples from oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs. Clinical laboratories certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) can immediately begin using the kit to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid-19. PerkinElmer’s RT-PCR test is marketed as an in vitro diagnostic device by meeting the requirements of the European In Vitro Diagnostic Directive, and is available in more than 30 countries worldwide.

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Prahlad Singh, PerkinElmer.

“Despite the challenging environment, our employees have demonstrated unwavering commitment over the past 2 months to combat this global pandemic,” says Prahlad Singh, president and chief executive officer of PerkinElmer. “The breadth of PerkinElmer’s total workflow solution puts us in a unique position to rapidly address the needs of our clinical diagnostics customers.”

For more information, visit PerkinElmer.