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.
Popular Stories
More
Multinational companies
Azeri fossil-fuel cash cow brings controversy to Switzerland
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
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.