Defining moments in the fight against COVID-19 

Introduction 

We are proud to bring our global expertise in molecular diagnostics to significantly increase testing capacity in the United Kingdom, giving government, clinicians and families the clarity and confidence to move forward.

This defining moment is enabled by the rapid development and production of a high-volume COVID-19 test (Aptima® SARS-CoV-2 assay) and the mobilisation of our large technology base and manufacturing capacity.

Expertise to deliver at scale 

We are committed to support the United Kingdom’s government to help meet its testing needs, with the scale and frequency of testing being key to mitigating the health and economic harm of lockdown.

By leveraging our large technology base of Panther® system and manufacturing capacity, we can substantially increase the volume and speed of testing capability.

The Panther system is a high-throughput, fully-automated molecular diagnostic system already widely used in laboratories nationwide. Each instrument can provide results in approximately three and a half hours and process more than 1,000 coronavirus tests in 24 hours, helping laboratories to deliver results when and where needed.

A high-volume diagnostic test

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our teams of scientists worked hard to accelerate the development of a high quality molecular diagnostic test, which can be produced in high volume and run on our large install base of Panther instruments.

We are proud to have achieved this. The Panther system’s fully-automated, high-throughput capabilities have the ability to significantly increase testing capacity.

The Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay uses a technique called Transcription Mediated Amplification (TMA) to detect a unique genetic sequence specific to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is based on nucleic acid amplification (NAAT), which allows the detection of the virus with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. The Aptima SARS-CoV-2 assay is clinically validated and CE-marked.

Specialists in population screening 

We are specialists in population screening technology with more than 30 years’ experience in pioneering diagnostics. We already work within many countries to deliver significant testing capacity to national screening and testing programmes, including cervical cancer, breast cancer, sexually transmitted infections and influenza.

This experience, together with our large capacity, nationwide coverage and proximity to patients, ensures we are well positioned to support and make a difference during this unprecedented public health challenge.

Resilience to cope with a surge in demand

Helping laboratories to be resilient and meet the changing and surging demands of today and tomorrow is one of our key priorities.  In addition to COVID-19, the winter will bring seasonal influenza and routine screening programmes for cervical cancer, breast cancer, sexually transmitted infections will resume.

Unlocking all free capacity will be essential to cope with demand and meet the backlog of disease detection needed over the coming months. The Panther system’s flexibility allows multiple different assays for infectious disease, women’s health and virology to run at one time. The system can scale with customer demands, which is one of the reasons why the Panther system remains one of the world’s most trusted molecular instruments.

Reference: 1. Aptima SARS-CoV-2 Package Insert AW-21491-001, San Diego, CA, Hologic, Inc, 2020

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