The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Luminex Corporation announced a collaboration on advanced development support of a single test to rapidly detect and differentiate between COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Prevalent pathogens all, being able to separate them right away could significantly relieve the burden on a stressed medical system. The TaqMan-based ARIES Flu A/B & RSV+SARS-CoV-2 test builds on two existing assays, the ARIES SARS-CoV-2 test, and the ARIES Flu A/B & RSV test, to create an all-in-one diagnostic capable of offering independent results for all four targets.
The test also aspires to do all of this quickly. It should be able to provide a turnaround of approximately two hours. Further, it should be able to do this with a single nasopharyngeal swab sample for each patient.
For BARDA, this will become the eleventh COVID-19 combination diagnostic test to receive support. Its funding will help Luminex to submit the new test for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as to pursue 510(k) clearance for the combination test.