Beckman Coulter Developing Tests to Detect Coronavirus Antibodies

Beckman Coulter (Brea, CA, USA) has responded to the global COVID-19 pandemic by developing assays to identify IgM and IgG antibodies to the coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2. The assays will be designed for use on any of the company’s high-throughput Access family of immunoassay systems, including the Access 2 and DxI series installed globally. After finalizing the assays, Beckman Coulter plans to submit them for the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization.

Beckman Coulter’s diagnostic systems are used in complex biomedical testing, and are found in hospitals, reference laboratories and physician office settings around the world. Research has shown that after infection with SARS-CoV-2, viral antigens stimulate the body's immune system to produce antibodies that can be detected with IgM and IgG tests.

"Antibody assays play a critical role in understanding the measure of immunity an individual has developed against SARS-CoV-2," said Kathleen Orland, senior vice president and general manager for Beckman Coulter's chemistry and immunoassay business. "This type of understanding could help determine the identification of those who would require a vaccine once available or when an infected individual could safely return to work."

"With the ability to assess a patient's immunity to SARS-CoV-2, this testing modality may enable clinicians to clear hospital staff, emergency responders, and others to get back to work with an indication that have had prior exposure and therefore may have immunity to the disease," said Shamiram R. Feinglass, M.D., MPH, chief medical officer, Beckman Coulter. "This test also could allow those without immunity to be identified and kept safe until the pandemic subsides."

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