Roche is one of Switzerland's big pharma companies based in Basel
Keystone / Alexandra Wey
Swiss pharma giant Roche says it has received Emergency Use Authorization from the United States for a test to quickly detect whether a patient has Covid-19 or one of two forms of influenza.
This content was published on
1 minute
Reuters/swissinfo.ch/ilj
Español
es
Roche obtiene aprobación para pruebas de coronavirus y gripe
The company said in a statement on FridayExternal link that it had received the go-ahead from the US Food and Drug Administration for the test be used in certain approved laboratories for the duration of the declaration. It will also be available in markets accepting the CE mark, Roche said.
The test is intended for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and Influenza B in patients suspected of having respiratory viral infection consistent with Covid-19, Roche said.
“With the approaching flu season, this new test is particularly important as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infections can hardly be differentiated by symptoms alone,” said Roche diagnostics head Thomas Schinecker. “Now, with a single test, healthcare professionals can confidently provide the right diagnosis and most effective treatment plan for their patients.”
The test will be for use on Roche’s Cobas 6800/8800 systems, which are capable of handling large volumes and are often found in hospitals. They can perform 96 tests within three hours, the company said.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Initiative calls for 36-week parental leave in Switzerland
This content was published on
The initiative proposes 18 weeks of non-transferable leave per parent, to be taken alternately within ten years of implementation.
Over a quarter of Swiss Catholics consider leaving the church
This content was published on
In Switzerland 27% of Catholics have thought about leaving the church, according to a survey by the Sotomo research centre.
This content was published on
Following the Credit Suisse debacle, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is adapting its organisation.
This content was published on
The Swiss Armed Forces are training their fighter jets in Bern to fly from a civilian base. The exercise at Bern Airport will last until Wednesday.
Plans materialise for new particle accelerator in Geneva
This content was published on
Preparations for a huge new particle accelerator in Geneva have reached a milestone. After several years of work, a feasibility study for the project has now been finalised.
This content was published on
The value of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland currently stands at CHF7.4 billion ($8.4 billion), the Swiss government announced on Tuesday.
Roche working ‘around the clock’ to provide coronavirus test
This content was published on
After getting the green light to deploy its coronavirus diagnostic test, Roche says it is working around the clock to make it available.
Roche boss who says bitter pill of truth is only way to build trust
This content was published on
Severin Schwan talks a lot about trust. Trust in people you live with, socialise with, work with. And trust is not won by being nice.
This content was published on
With its big bet on data and digitilisation, Roche has its eye on a new crop of specialists. Now it just needs to woo them.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.