Roche receives U.S. FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its high-throughput test to detect monkeypox virus

Roche announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for cobas MPXV for use on the cobas 6800/8800 Systems. The test is a real time PCR test for the qualitative detection of DNA from monkeypox virus (MPXV) in lesion swabs collected from individuals suspected of monkeypox infection by their healthcare provider.

cobas MPXV targets two different regions of the MPXV genome, which are both less prone to mutations than other parts of the genome. This dual-target approach ensures that cobas MPXV will continue to detect the virus even if a mutation occurs in one of the target regions.

“When multiple clusters of monkeypox virus infection were initially reported in countries where the disease is not endemic, Roche was among the first companies to address virus concerns with test kits,” said Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche Diagnostics. “In order to meet the testing needs and workflow demands of laboratories as well as expand access to safe and reliable diagnostic solutions, we developed the cobas MPXV on the fully automated and high-throughput cobas 6800/8800 system.”

The high-throughput solution can help individuals get the right results quickly. This is important so that patients are not subjected to unnecessary additional testing or isolation, and will have access to appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

Like many viruses, monkeypox cannot be conclusively diagnosed by symptoms alone. This is because many monkeypox symptoms closely resemble those of other rash-producing illnesses such as chickenpox, measles, bacterial skin infections, and even hives or allergies.