Novacyt (NCYT ) said its SNPsig® SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction genotyping portfolio has been included in the NHS England Framework for detecting Variants of Concern. 

Meanwhile, the Group, which operates as an international specialist in clinical diagnostics, has also announced the launch of two new PCR assays to detect SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (“VoC”) as part of the company's efforts to expand its SNPsig® product range. 

Novacyt said it is one of four companies that has been selected by NHS England as part of its VoC Framework, a national framework which is focused on testing all positive SARS-CoV-2 samples from NHS (pillar 1) and high throughput Lighthouse (pillar 2) labs in England. 

The Company explained that SNPsig® COVID-19 (20I/501Y.V1 + E484K) is a CE-marked assay to detect 20I/501Y.V1, which is the variant of concern originally identified in the UK, as well as VOC-21FEB-02 and all SARS-CoV-2 variants carrying the E484K escape mutation. 

Meanwhile, Novacyt also highlighted that SNPsig® SARS-CoV-2 (E484K) Easy is a research-use-only, streamlined workflow solution for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants carrying the E484K escape mutation for use with the company's q32 rapid-PCR instrument. 

Shares in Novacyt have increased by nearly 8% in value over the past month. The stock was trading 7.34% higher this morning at 433.6p following the company’s announcement. 

In particular, this assay comes with pre-filled cassettes and includes only one pipetting step to decrease operator complexity and improve cycle times, the company told investors.  

CEO, Graham Mullis said Novacyt’s inclusion in the framework allows its SNPsig® range to be used at any NHS and Lighthouse labs, subject to local verification, as it continues to support diagnostic testing across the UK, and globally, through its extensive portfolio.  

The Group said it remains committed to developing new tests “to match the rapid evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 virus” with its bioinformatics surveillance programme and accelerated product development. In addition, Mullis said Novacyt’s SNPsig® portfolio for detecting Variants of Interest and Variants of Concern now includes 12 individual assays, all of which are expected to support scientists and clinicians in the ongoing fight against COVID-19. 

Follow News & Updates from Novacyt here: