Benzinga | Oct 20, 2020 08:06AM EDT

OPKO Health's BioReference Laboratories Launches Multiplex COVID-19 and Influenza A/B Test

BioReference Laboratories, Inc., an OPKO Health company (NASDAQ:OPK), is now accepting specimens for a new multiplex COVID-19 and influenza test for use by healthcare providers, clinics and health systems throughout the United States, to aid in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and Influenza A or B (flu).



Differentiating COVID-19 and Influenza A or B infection(s) is especially important, as symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal respiratory infections can be similar. BioReference offers a multiplex test for COVID-19 and Influenza A and B, using a single sample. This allows for more rapid diagnosis, conserves critical testing supplies, and provides surveillance for flu and COVID-19. Identifying the correct infectious agent, especially in high-risk populations, will allow for early treatment and appropriate management.

The multiplex test may be performed on healthcare provider-collected nasal and nasopharyngeal swab specimens, and self-collected nasal swab specimens collected in a healthcare setting supervised by a healthcare provider.

"As cases of COVID-19 rise, arming healthcare professionals with reliable laboratory solutions to help achieve an accurate diagnosis is imperative in limiting the spread of the virus," said Jon R. Cohen, M.D., Executive Chairman of BioReference Laboratories. "Patient care is at the center of our test offering and this multiplex test allows for healthcare providers to differentiate between COVID-19 and influenza by swabbing a patient one time."

Specimens from patients to identify COVID-19 disease will not be obtained at BioReference Patient Service Centers; they will be collected at physician offices, hospitals or other clinic settings.