Houston-based AccessDX Laboratory, a national provider of covid-19 testing services and advanced laboratory diagnostics, has announced the immediate availability of its investigational covid-19 variant detection capabilities. These innovative technologies enable AccessDX Lab and its partners in clinical and municipal settings to better identify the rise of new covid-19 variants, including B.1.1.7, and B.1.351 (commonly referred to as the British and South African variants, respectively). AccessDX Lab clients who wish to utilize this investigational variant detection capability on their submitted PCR testing samples will be able to do so at no additional charge.

As the United States moves toward containment of the covid-19 pandemic, novel variants have become more prevalent and correlated to higher rates of infection, adverse events, and potential reductions in vaccine efficacy. Existing variant detection processes have traditionally required specialty sequencing capabilities in short supply or have been conducted using crude detection methodologies without detailed analytical support due to their immense cost compared with standard PCR testing. AccessDX Lab’s commitment to supporting novel variant detection, including the use of next-generation sequencing (NGS), builds upon its existing leadership position in high-quality, high-throughput diagnostic capabilities.

“We’re incredibly pleased to take another bold step in addressing the needs of this pandemic,” says Michael Stewart, CEO of AccessDX Lab. “Adding this variant detection capability required the tireless efforts of our entire research and operations teams, and we are all immensely proud of our role in identifying and mitigating the threat of currently identified variants along with those that may manifest in the future.” 

AccessDX Lab variant detection is currently for investigational use and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis with results available through the MedTek21 clinical decision support platform. Existing clients and research partners who wish to utilize variant detection should contact their account representative. 

For more information, visit AccessDX Laboratory