Benzinga | Dec 15, 2021 08:12AM EST

Twist Bioscience Reports Is Now Shipping Synthetic RNA Positive Controls For Omicron Variant For Development Of Accurate Diagnostic Tests

Twist Bioscience Corporation (NASDAQ:TWST), a company enabling customers to succeed through its offering of high-quality synthetic DNA using its silicon platform, today announced that synthetic RNA positive controls are now available for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529/BA.1) variants first identified in South Africa. Since the initial discovery, the variant has been identified and is spreading quickly worldwide, with more than 50 countries confirming at least one case as of December 6, 2021.

"We believe that COVID-19 will become an endemic disease, routinely evolving with new variants continuing to emerge," said Emily M. Leproust, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Twist Bioscience. "In addition to the validated positive controls now available for broad distribution, we have been supporting customers who are investigating Omicron's impact on existing vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostic tests, as well as those developing new products to fight all known variants of SARS-CoV-2."

Dr. Leproust continued, "While Omicron is the most divergent variant of the virus we have seen to date, it will not be the last. At Twist, we will continue to remain vigilant in monitoring the global landscape and offering new tools to combat COVID-19."

For more information on Twist's products to combat COVID-19, including a full suite of NGS testing panels to help track the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 strains, please visit: https://www.twistbioscience.com/coronavirus-research-tools. Twist is also working to launch separate synthetic RNA positive controls for the BA.2 Omicron variant, which will be available soon.

In March 2020, Twist launched its first synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA distinct reference sequences as positive controls for the development of both next-generation sequencing (NGS) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays to test for SARS-CoV-2. These controls continue to be included in many different assays worldwide and can be used to determine the limit of detection, monitor day-to-day test variations and are included on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website as reference materials for SARS-CoV-2. Twist has subsequently released additional SARS-CoV-2 controls to cover the evolution of the virus and remains committed to using its DNA synthesis platform to offer valuable products that improve health and sustainability.

The Twist synthetic controls are designed based on specific SARS-CoV-2 variants, cover the full viral genome and are sequence-verified. For customers interested in alternative variants of SARS-CoV-2, or synthetic RNA or DNA controls for other sequences, Twist can provide custom controls in multiple formats. Twist also offers a suite of research tools, including next-generation sequencing (NGS) products for SARS-CoV-2 as well as a broad respiratory panel and a comprehensive viral panel.

Customers purchasing synthetic controls are subject to Twist's leading biosecurity screening protocols and applicable laws and regulations.