Detecting the Omicron varient

Acumen Diagnostics has announced that its polymerase chain reaction ("PCR") test kits Acu-Corona 2.0 and Acu-Corona Duplex are able to detect Covid-19 positive cases infected with the Omicron variant. The series of Acu-Corona and SatuGen Covid-19 PCR test kits can detect the presence of the Omicron variant in SARS-CoV-2 samples.

Dr Ong Siew Hwa, Executive Director of Aoxin Q&M Dental and Chief Executive Officer & Chief Scientist of Acumen Diagnostics said, "As the Covid-19 threat continues to evolve with the emergence of a potentially more transmissible variant, Omicron, highly-accurate and cost-effective testing becomes even more important to detect and help curb the spread of the virus. 

With PCR tests remaining the gold standard to detect Covid-19, Acumen Diagnostics remains well-positioned to help Singapore tackle this new challenge posed by the virus, with our effective and affordable PCR test kits that are equipped to detect Covid-19 positive cases infected with Delta and Omicron, as well as our laboratory testing capabilities that can run 7,000 tests daily. We will continue to contribute to national Covid-19 testing efforts to support Singapore's safe and sustainable re-opening."

The Acu-Corona 2.0 PCR test targets two Covid-19 genes - RdRp and E, while the Acu-Corona Duplex PCR test targets the E gene and S gene. The portion of the S gene targeted by the Acu-Corona Duplex PCR test does not contain any of the 32 mutations that occurred in the Omicron variant, hence it can detect the Omicron variant without any loss of sensitivity.

Recent Issues