Eurofins Launches BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 Droplet Digital PCR Assay (ddPCR) for SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Testing

Highly sensitive ddPCR analytical tool will help identify rapidly increasing SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 in wastewater samples domestically and internationally, expanding the comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring platform of the Eurofins network.

Eurofins Environment Testing Northern California: Wastewater (EWW) and Eurofins Pandemic Prevention Services (EPPS) today launched a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay for the combined quantitative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VoC) BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 in wastewater. This expansion of EWW and EPPS’ comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring platform follows a strategic initiative to continuously monitor novel VoC showing significant incidence within the United States. Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 currently comprise >35% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus variant distribution in the US and are increasing at rates that supersede all other current SARS-CoV-2 variants. The World Health Organization has stated that while there is currently no data on severity or immune escape in human studies, BQ.1 shows a significant growth advantage over other circulating Omicron variants and thus warrants monitoring.

Empowering community leaders and stakeholders to make evidence-based decisions is central to the Eurofins network’s wastewater surveillance offering - accomplished through robust scientific techniques, complete project development/support, and access to teams of established industry experts in wastewater epidemiology.

Optimized management of personnel and resources is essential to mitigating the effects of public health issues and protecting community welfare. Governments, public institutions, and businesses have leveraged wastewater monitoring to protect the populations they serve, and Eurofins companies continue to offer technical expertise and support to ensure their strategies and mitigation efforts remain effective.

Key Features

• Adaptable and scalable wastewater monitoring platform for total SARS-CoV-2 and currently circulating VoC.
• Complete project development services and ongoing professional support from the global Eurofins network of established wastewater monitoring professionals.
• ddPCR platform provides analytical sensitivity unobtainable through other biological monitoring methods.
• 72-hour data turnaround time provides a near real-time source of community health information.

EPPS’ ddPCR wastewater monitoring platform and project design services are available immediately.

ENDS

About Eurofins– the global leader in bio-analysis Eurofins is Testing for Life. With 61,000 staff across a network of 940 laboratories in 59 countries, Eurofins’ companies offer a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods. Eurofins Shares are listed on Euronext Paris Stock Exchange.

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For further information: Brooke Maharg [e-mail]