Bio-Rad Laboratories, a supplier of research and clinical diagnostic products, has announced the launch of the Bio-Plex Pro Human SARS-CoV-2 Variant Neutralization Antibody Assays, for research use only (RUO).
The assays allow scientists to measure neutralising antibodies against wild-type and significant variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Scientists developing vaccines and therapeutics can determine the efficacy of their product from development through clinical phases. Epidemiologists can perform seroprevalence studies to better understand the longevity of the neutralising antibody response from infection or vaccination. Compared to using traditional cell-based assays and ELISA tests, the company claims, researchers can increase their throughput when using these multiplex assays.
The assays are offered in an 11-plex kit format comprising the wild-type RBD and S1 and 9 variant antigens, as well as customisable singleplex assays, 2-plex Delta variant coupled beads, and a custom developer kit which allows users to create assays to any additional SARS-CoV-2 variant - such as Omicron.
“As variants of interest and concern become the predominant forms of SARS-CoV-2 infecting populations, it’s critical to understand whether the antibodies, elicited by a prior COVID-19 infection or vaccination, are still able to neutralise the circulating virus variants,” said Candice Cox, Bio-Rad Immunoassays Marketing Manager, Life Science Group.
“We are pleased to be able to add these neutralising antibody assays to our offering of existing Bio-Plex Pro IgA, IgG, and IgM 4-plex serology kits for COVID-19 related research in vaccine development and post-market surveillance studies.”
