10 December 2021 [Press release]

GenoScreen™ SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Assay remains highly accurate in testing the Omicron variant

The newest variant of concern Omicron (B.1.1.529) contains over 30 reported mutations in the S gene, with implications for receptor binding and transmissibility as well as antibody escape and immune evasion. It is therefore important to show that the diagnostic accuracy of SARS-CoV-2 assays is not affected. After detailed in silico analysis of the available sequences in variant databases such as GISAID (as at 10/12/2021), DiagCor Life Science is happy to report that none of the mutations associated with the Omicron variant affects our GenoScreen^TM SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR Assay. Clinical laboratories using this assay can proceed with confidence for their testing operations.