SAN DIEGO– Biocept, Inc. (Nasdaq: BIOC), a leading provider of molecular diagnostic assays, products, and services, now offers a single test that can detect and distinguish between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, helping patients and caregivers determine appropriate treatment decisions. This new assay expands the company’s COVID-19 testing program, which began in June 2020 and has now received more than 670,000 samples for processing.
“As we navigate through a complicated flu season, expanding our COVID-19 testing services to include influenza testing allows us to better meet the needs of our customers and our communities,” said Michael Nall, President and CEO of Biocept. “Because of the similarities in symptoms, determining whether a patient has COVID-19 or the seasonal flu can help patients and physicians make decisions about care that may lead to reduced viral spread and more efficient utilization of healthcare resources. This new offering demonstrates our continued effort to support public health initiatives and provide customers with the answers they need.”
Biocept’s combined COVID-19 and influenza testing uses a sensitive and specific RT-PCR platform to detect and distinguish between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza. Samples are collected through nasal swab and processed through Biocept’s CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory with results typically within approximately 48 hours from receipt of sample, providing timely and accurate results.
While Biocept continues to expand and perform COVID-19 testing services with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s diagnostic platform and kits, which are FDA approved, commercialization of the co-developed AEGEA Biotechnologies COVID-19 assay will be delayed, as a result of newly announced changes to FDA requirements for laboratory-developed COVID-19 tests.
