Quidel’s Antigen Tests Detect the Omicron Variant

Excerpt from the Press Release:

SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Quidel Corporation (NASDAQ: QDEL) (“Quidel”), a provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions, cellular-based virology assays and molecular diagnostic systems, issued the following statement from Douglas Bryant, Quidel’s President and CEO, regarding Quidel’s ongoing efforts to evaluate COVID-19 mutations and confirm that its antigen tests continue to detect COVID-19 variants such as Omicron.

Mr. Bryant said:

“At Quidel, we continuously monitor the evolution and activity of COVID-19 variants in circulation, and the Omicron variant is no exception. Recent testing using live South African samples confirmed that our QuickVue® At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test and our Sofia® SARS Antigen FIA are detecting the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

On December 22, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indicated that data generated in preliminary RADx laboratory studies, with heat-inactivated Omicron samples, suggested that the QuickVue antigen tests are able to detect the Omicron variant with similar performance as with other variants. Additional testing has now been completed by the same laboratory using live virus. These data also suggest that the QuickVue antigen tests are able to detect the live Omicron variant with similar performance as with other variants.

Quidel has been, and will continue to be, vigilant in evaluating our assays with both genetic sequencing and real-world virus sample studies to assure customers of our products’ efficacy as the coronavirus evolves.

In the meantime, we continue to increase our weekly production of COVID-19 antigen tests in an effort to provide our communities with access to affordable COVID-19 testing. Quidel has risen to the challenge and we are proud to be at the forefront of the diagnostic industry’s response to the pandemic.”

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