Novacyt SA (LON:NCYT) said its tests can detect the new coronavirus (COVID-19) strain found by the Genomics UK consortium.
The diagnostics firm said it carried out a detailed analysis of the mutations in this new variant and in all published COVID-19 strains to confirm whether its assays can find it.
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A computer simulation analysis showed that the firm's kits were able to detect all published COVID-19 strains with the same level of accuracy.
This new strain of the virus has also been identified in other countries, including the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia.
“These data support the continued use of our tests, which remain accurate in detecting all published strains of COVID-19, including the latest variant,” said Novacyt chief executive Graham Mullis in a release.
“As part of our surveillance programme, we are committed to analysing our selected gene targets for COVID-19 against new published viral sequences to demonstrate ongoing accuracy and performance.”
“We also remain in close contact with the Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS as we continue to focus our efforts on deploying our tests to hospitals and laboratories across the UK, as well as to our customers around the world,” he added.
Shares rose 8% to 894p on Monday in early trading.
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