Roche Diagnostics COVID-19 test greenlighted in S. Korea

Roche Diagnostics Korea revealed on Thursday, May 6, that it was granted approval for its Cobas test, a testing device used to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus in laboratories.

Roche Diagnostic’s Cobas test - What it is

The Korea Herald reported that Roche Diagnostics Korea said that its Cobas test is not only effective in qualitative detection, but it can also differentiate between SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, and Influenza B that may be present in nasal swab samples from individuals undergoing test for possible respiratory infection.

It was added that Roche’s Cobas SARS-CoV-2 test could also be utilized in the company’s automated molecular testing solutions, called the cobas 6800/8800 Systems. This has the capacity to furnish up to 96 results in as little as three hours, while the cobas 8800 System can give 960 results within eight hours.

Moreover, Roche’s cobas SARS-CoV-2 test boasts of more than 97% test sensitivity, thus allowing a more accurate identification if a virus is present or not. The company added that this can deliver results fast and accurately so that doctors can give the right diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment for the case.

Roche increased investment in S. Korea

Meanwhile, Roche Diagnostics AG is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and because it saw how South Korea responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said it is investing more in Roche Korea due to its excellent response to the crisis.

“Compared to other countries, Korea has been controlling Covid-19 well,” Korea BioMed Review quoted Roche Diagnostics Korea’s general manager, Johnny Tse, as saying. “But it needs to prepare for the next stage. Most Covid-19 tests use PCR (polymerase chain reaction) but we may need antibody/antigen tests, rapid testing for crossing borders, or tests based on the progress of the disease (Covid-19).”

Roche made the right decision to invest more since the cobas SARS-CoV-2 test has finally been approved after efforts were exerted to produce this device that will help detect COVID-19 more accurately. Finally, Tse said that they are planning to continue investing in S. Korea and create more of the things that are needed in helping curb highly infectious diseases.