Roche develops new test kits for Omicron variant of Covid-19

A staff member processes a rapid Covid-19 antigenic test made by Swiss drugmaker Roche. Credit: Reuters File Photo

Roche's newly acquired subsidiary TIB Molbiol has developed three new tests kits to detect mutations present in the new Covid-19 Omicron variant, Roche said on Friday.

"The teams at TIB Molbiol have worked around the clock since the new variant emerged, and today we are able to offer a test that can specifically identify the novel B.1.1.529 Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant to help better understand its spread and behaviour," Thomas Schinecker, head of Roche Diagnostics, said in a statement.

Roche acquired Berlin-based TIB Molbiol on Dec. 1 to expand its PCR-test portfolio to combat new infectious diseases.

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