BioMérieux BIOFIRE Respiratory 2.1 (RP2.1) Panel with SARS-CoV-2 Becomes First COVID-19 Diagnostic Test to Obtain De Novo FDA Authorization
|
By HospiMedica International staff writers Posted on 19 Mar 2021 |

Image: BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel (Photo courtesy of BioMérieux)
BioMérieux (Marcy-l'Étoile, France) has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) De Novo authorization for the BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel, making it the first SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test of any kind to be granted De Novo status by US FDA.
The panel allows for the detection of 22 viral and bacterial pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19 disease). The panel was granted De Novo status by US FDA after having gone through the normal US FDA review pathway outside of the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) track. The De Novo authorization will be concurrent with the revocation of the US FDA EUA that was obtained on May 1, 2020 for the panel. The BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel EUA and De Novo kits are identical with the exception of changes to the labeling.
The BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel allows healthcare providers to quickly identify common respiratory pathogens found in patients presenting with acute respiratory tract infection, using one simple test. The BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel yields results in approximately 45 minutes using nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples in transport media or saline. It runs on the fully automated BIOFIRE FILMARRAY 2.0 and BIOFIRE Torch Systems with only two minutes of sample preparation time.
The De Novo application was supported by a multicenter prospective clinical study in which the performance of the BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel SARS-CoV-2 assay was evaluated in over 500 specimens against a combined reference of three independent molecular SARS-CoV-2 assays, each with U.S. FDA EUA designation. The BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel SARS-CoV-2 assay demonstrated positive percent agreement (PPA) of 98.4% and negative percent agreement (NPA) of 98.9%.
“The De Novo authorization of the BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel demonstrates how BioFire is dedicated to responding to a rapidly-evolving global pandemic with urgency and accuracy. This is the first US FDA De Novo authorized COVID-19 test,” said Pierre Boulud, Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Operations of bioMérieux.
Related Links:
BioMérieux
The panel allows for the detection of 22 viral and bacterial pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19 disease). The panel was granted De Novo status by US FDA after having gone through the normal US FDA review pathway outside of the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) track. The De Novo authorization will be concurrent with the revocation of the US FDA EUA that was obtained on May 1, 2020 for the panel. The BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel EUA and De Novo kits are identical with the exception of changes to the labeling.
The BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel allows healthcare providers to quickly identify common respiratory pathogens found in patients presenting with acute respiratory tract infection, using one simple test. The BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel yields results in approximately 45 minutes using nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples in transport media or saline. It runs on the fully automated BIOFIRE FILMARRAY 2.0 and BIOFIRE Torch Systems with only two minutes of sample preparation time.
The De Novo application was supported by a multicenter prospective clinical study in which the performance of the BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel SARS-CoV-2 assay was evaluated in over 500 specimens against a combined reference of three independent molecular SARS-CoV-2 assays, each with U.S. FDA EUA designation. The BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel SARS-CoV-2 assay demonstrated positive percent agreement (PPA) of 98.4% and negative percent agreement (NPA) of 98.9%.
“The De Novo authorization of the BIOFIRE RP2.1 Panel demonstrates how BioFire is dedicated to responding to a rapidly-evolving global pandemic with urgency and accuracy. This is the first US FDA De Novo authorized COVID-19 test,” said Pierre Boulud, Chief Operating Officer, Clinical Operations of bioMérieux.
Related Links:
BioMérieux
Latest COVID-19 News
- Low-Cost System Detects SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Hospital Air Using High-Tech Bubbles
- World's First Inhalable COVID-19 Vaccine Approved in China
- COVID-19 Vaccine Patch Fights SARS-CoV-2 Variants Better than Needles
- Blood Viscosity Testing Can Predict Risk of Death in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
- ‘Covid Computer’ Uses AI to Detect COVID-19 from Chest CT Scans
- MRI Lung-Imaging Technique Shows Cause of Long-COVID Symptoms
- Chest CT Scans of COVID-19 Patients Could Help Distinguish Between SARS-CoV-2 Variants
- Specialized MRI Detects Lung Abnormalities in Non-Hospitalized Long COVID Patients
- AI Algorithm Identifies Hospitalized Patients at Highest Risk of Dying From COVID-19
- Sweat Sensor Detects Key Biomarkers That Provide Early Warning of COVID-19 and Flu
- Study Assesses Impact of COVID-19 on Ventilation/Perfusion Scintigraphy
- CT Imaging Study Finds Vaccination Reduces Risk of COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Embolism
- Third Day in Hospital a ‘Tipping Point’ in Severity of COVID-19 Pneumonia
- Longer Interval Between COVID-19 Vaccines Generates Up to Nine Times as Many Antibodies
- AI Model for Monitoring COVID-19 Predicts Mortality Within First 30 Days of Admission
- AI Predicts COVID Prognosis at Near-Expert Level Based Off CT Scans
Channels
Artificial Intelligence
view channelCollaborative AI System Improves Medical Diagnostic Accuracy
Hospitals face a persistent trade-off when deploying artificial intelligence for diagnosis. Broad “generalist” models handle many tasks but often lack disease-specific precision. Narrow “specialist” models... Read more
AI-Powered Brain-Body Interface Supports Movement and Sensation Recovery
Neurological injuries such as stroke and spinal cord trauma frequently leave patients with profound motor and sensory deficits that limit independence. Rehabilitation may restore some movement, but recovery... Read moreCritical Care
view channel
Wearable Sweat Test Simplifies Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that disrupts digestion and breathing. Diagnosis depends on sweat chloride testing that is typically limited to accredited centers and specialized laboratories.... Read more
New Risk Calculator Identifies Heart Disease Earlier in Postpartum Women
Cardiovascular disease in women often goes unrecognized until midlife, and standard risk calculators were built for older populations. Complications during pregnancy are linked to later heart disease,... Read moreSurgical Techniques
view channel
New Implant Provides Sustained Localized Therapy for Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages because symptoms such as bloating, pain, and pelvic pressure are nonspecific. Standard care relies on surgery and systemic therapy, yet tools for targeted... Read more
Combined Phage and Microbiota Therapy May Reduce Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are frequent relapses of urinary infections that persist despite standard therapy. They increase morbidity, expose patients to repeated antibiotic courses, and... Read morePatient Care
view channel
AI Avatar Doctor Improves Patient Understanding Before Radiotherapy
Radiation oncology consultations require patients to grasp complex concepts quickly, yet anxiety and information overload often undermine understanding and informed consent. Poor comprehension can also... Read more
Wearable Sleep Data Predict Adherence to Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung disorder that makes breathing difficult and often disturbs sleep, reducing energy for daily activities. Limited engagement in pulmonary... Read moreMedical Imaging
view channel
MRI-Guided Ultrasound Method Advances Targeted Treatment of Gliomas
Gliomas, the most common primary brain tumors in adults, include glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer. Drug delivery is hampered by the brain’s blood-brain barrier, limiting treatment efficacy... Read more
AI Accelerates Individualized Dosimetry for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Radiopharmaceutical therapy is an injected cancer treatment that delivers radiation through the body while selectively targeting tumors. In prostate cancer, current dosing remains largely uniform despite... Read moreHealth IT
view channel
Short Digital Training Program Improves Motor Function in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson's disease causes motor symptoms that interfere with movement and daily activities. Drug treatment is standard care, yet additional approaches are needed to target motor control.... Read moreNew Cloud Platform Streamlines Capsule Endoscopy Workflow and Reporting
Capsule endoscopy programs depend on coordinated acquisition, review, and reporting to support gastrointestinal services. Managing these activities across practices and health systems requires reliable... Read morePoint of Care
view channelRapid Onsite Testing Reduces Emergency Department Transfers in Long-Term Care
Respiratory infections in long-term care residents frequently trigger emergency department transfers that strain hospital capacity and expose frail patients to additional risks. Turnaround delays from... Read more
New Brain Ultrasound Platform Enables Bedside Postoperative Imaging
Transporting postoperative patients for CT or MRI can create operational burdens, delays, and disruptions in care. Bedside visualization may help reduce transport demands, lower radiation exposure, and... Read moreBusiness
view channel
AI Software Combines Nodule Detection and Diagnosis for Lung Cancer Screening
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer mortality, and screening programs rely on computed tomography to identify disease earlier when curative treatment is more likely. High patient volumes and... Read more








