Swiss drugmaker Roche has introduced an easy-to-use, molecular diagnostic platform, the cobas Liat System.
The system, designed for on-demand testing in physician clinics, pharmacies and hospital lab settings, comprises cobas Liat Analyser and a growing portfolio of assays, including cobas influenza A / B and cobas Strep A nucleic acid tests.
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Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, the cobas Liat System completely automates the testing process, simplifies workflow and allows healthcare professionals to perform molecular testing in different settings and generate results within 20 minutes.
Roche Molecular Diagnostics head Paul Brown said: "This system offers significant benefits in testing time and accuracy, over current methods used to diagnose infectious disease within the physician office or urgent care clinic.
"It eliminates the need for time-consuming confirmatory testing and can provide critical answers to both the healthcare professional and patient during a consultation."
The cobas Strep A and cobas influenza A / B tests provide better sensitivity, aiding healthcare professionals to make immediate, informed treatment decisions in various testing locations.
Tests can be used in differential diagnosis of influenza A virus and influenza B virus RNA, as well as in the detection of Strep A DNA with cobas Strep A.
In addition, the cobas influenza A and B test covers more than 30 commonly found strains of influenza A and B.
The system is available in the US and Europe, while the analyser and two initial assays cobas influenza A / B and cobas Strep A, received CE Mark and FDA clearance.
