BD published a statement clarifying the efficacy of its rapid antigen and PCR tests to monitor for the COVID-19 Omicron variant.
“BD actively monitors new and developing COVID-19 variants of concern to ensure the integrity and performance of our assays. BD has conducted an analysis of the recently identified Omicron variant of concern and we are confident that our rapid antigen and PCR tests for COVID-19 will detect the novel variant,” says Dave Hickey, president of Life Sciences for BD.
Analysis of the Omicron variant by BD was conducted via all available genome sequences deposited in the GISAID EpiCoV database.
“When live viral samples are made available, BD will perform additional rigorous testing in the laboratory,” says Hickey.
BD said it actively monitors all sequenced SARS-CoV-2 isolates worldwide. The company has evaluated over 3.5 million genomes to monitor for emerging variants.
