Roche announces no anticipated impact of Omicron variant on its cobas and Elecsys assays

The company is taking adequate steps to ensure that our tests perform as expected

Roche Diagnostics has announced that based on company’s global surveillance team’s in silico (computer-based) analyses, the cobas® SARS-CoV-2 is predicted to detect all variants including the Omicron variant (including sub-lineages BA.1 and BA.2).

The company’s statement says, “Based on our assay design, no impact of the variants including Omicron is expected on the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and Elecsys® SARS-CoV-2 Antigen assays. As new variant strains emerge, we are swiftly taking adequate steps to ensure that our tests perform as expected.”

According to Narendra Varde, Managing Director, Roche Diagnostics India & Neighbouring Markets said, “We continue to monitor the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants and remain committed to providing laboratories with high-quality molecular and serology testing solutions that aid in diagnosing affected patients. Our cobas® SARS-CoV-2 assay has been used extensively in the country during the pandemic and continues to remain reliable and useful with the emerging Omicron variant.”