Eurofins Central Lab Blog

Eurofins expands its global sequencing and mutation-specific PCR capabilities to detect COVID-19 Variants of Concern and of Interest

As the number of types of COVID-19 Variants of Concern and of Interest increases, fast high throughput NGS sequencing is key to identify new variants while mutation specific PCR testing enables immediate detection and contact tracing.  Eurofins continues to develop innovative COVID-19 testing solutions and has now reached two important milestones.

Eurofins has sequenced more than 125,000 SARS-CoV-2 samples from 23 countries since our press release on 28^th December 2020 announcing the launch of a new ARTIC Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) service. Eurofins’ “ARTIC SARS-CoV-2 Whole Genome Sequencing” service includes NGS and detailed reporting for universal end-to-end surveillance of pandemic development, tracking the emergence and dynamics of existing and new mutational Variants of Concern. It provides customers with a fully assembled sequence of the viral ssRNA genome. This enables accurate lineage and variant identification and surveillance of emerging and spreading Variants of Concern.

Through recent investments, turnaround times for NGS sequencing have been reduced to as little as 5 days and capacity increased to 35,000 viral genomes per week since 15^th May 2021. Eurofins intends to further expand its SARS-CoV-2 full genome sequencing capacity as required on all continents.

Eurofins has also reached the milestone of over 24 million COVID-19 PCR tests completed since the start of the pandemic. Accurate, fast and reliable testing is key to the monitoring and containment of SARS-CoV-2. Contrary to rapid antigen testing, which the Group is also offering, Eurofins’ most recent PCR tests enable immediate detection of most current Variants of Concern, which is essential for contact tracing as sequencing takes a few days.

Further information can be found at https://www.eurofinsgenomics.eu/en/covid-19/.

It was early 2020 when the head of Moderna’s vaccine development team first met with Eurofins Viracor. Moderna scientists were working feverishly to move their COVID-19 vaccine candidate programme into the clinical phase, but their laboratory partner did not have all the validated assays ready to meet the needs of the trial. Eurofins Viracor was also gearing up to enter the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic with the launch of their new Coronavirus (COVID-19) SARS-CoV-2RT-PCR test.

A qPCR assay that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would later show to have the highest sensitivity of any they evaluated. Not having worked with Eurofins Viracor previously, Moderna was understandably skeptical about partnering
with someone new for such a high-stakes project. So much so that they lined up backup providers in case Eurofins Viracor was unable to meet their clinical testing needs. But Eurofins Viracor didn’t fail. After developing a sensitive and robust quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay for Moderna’s study, that was bridged to their EUA assay, the Eurofins Viracor
laboratory team performed over 2,000 Phase II tests, and more than 85,000 tests (on NP swab and saliva samples) to support their >30,000 subject Phase III trial; matching Moderna’s intensity and proving that their newly chosen molecular testing partner was equal to the task.

The two organisations worked closely and collaboratively, in a joint response to the COVID-19 pandemic, performing essential laboratory testing to assess the efficacy of the Moderna vaccine candidate against novel coronavirus infection. The ultimate result was the successful completion of Moderna’s clinical trial for the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine candidate, and emergency use authorisation (EUA) by the US FDA on December 18, 2020, with subsequent approvals by regulatory agencies around the globe.

Without the accurate and reliable molecular testing Eurofins Viracor provided, the Moderna trial could not
have met the aggressive timeline needed for regulatory submission and approval for their COVID-19 vaccine. As the Moderna vaccine continues to be distributed around the world to thwart the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, the Eurofins Viracor team looks back with pride at the contribution to its success and are humbled by the impact it will have on the health and safety of millions of people across the world.

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Eurofins donates 100,000 fast PCR tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 (ex. UK), B.1.351 (ex. South Africa) and B1.1.248 (ex. Brazil) to hospitals around the world

Eurofins is making new assays for the identification of B.1.1.7 (UK) and B.1.351 (South Africa)/B.1.1.248 (Brazil) variants with a one hour run time available for free to public health institutions who do not have capabilities to rapidly identify the presence of these variants.

Eurofins launches new tests and massive capacity for detecting and monitoring new variants of SARS-CoV-2

The increasing diversity of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the potential higher infectivity of some new viral strains, underline the need to identify, trace and track mutations across the complete viral genome. Currently, strains of concern include the B.1.1.7 variant, first identified in the United Kingdom, and the B.1.351 variant, first identified in South Africa.

Eurofins Genomics launches cost-effective SARS-CoV-2 full-length viral genome sequencing services essential in the identification of viral mutations

Eurofins launches COVID-19 PCR tests with at-home self-sampling options in Europe and donates sequencing capacity to identify VUI-2020-12/01 strain reported to spread faster in the UK.

Post-Brexit trade talks are continuing after negotiators failed to reach an agreement over the weekend. It is understood there is likely to be a decision before Christmas on whether or not a deal can be reached.

Eurofins announces that its FDA-authorized At-Home COVID-19 Nasal PCR Test is now being covered by Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance providers.  The Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) authorized self-collection kit gives consumers a minimally invasive, convenient and quick option to test from the comfort of their home.  Results are provided via email link within 24 hours of sample receipt.

As part of the BioPharma Services, Laboratory Testing division, Eurofins Central Laboratory has amassed more than 25 years’ experience. Our clients benefit from the fact that we are part of one of the world’s leading lab organizations. This means they will enjoy end-to-end testing solutions, free from the worry of coordinating multiple vendors. Our testing capabilities are unsurpassed and we are setting new standards with our GCLP capabilities embedded within the Central Lab.

Eurofins providing COVID-19 analytical testing and services for Pennsylvania Long Term Care Facilities and vulnerable population citizens

Eurofins Central Laboratory, headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and a member of Eurofins Scientific, a global leader in testing and laboratory services, joined the COVID-19 Pennsylvania testing program after State Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine ordered the testing of nursing home residents and staff in the state.