Bio-Rad Introduces SARS-CoV-2 Variant Neutralization Antibody Assays

Bio-Rad Laboratories, a life science research company, now offers their Bio-Plex Pro Human SARS-CoV Variant Neutralizing Antibody Assays, which the company launched in December 2021. Designed for research use only, these assays are designed to allow scientists to measure neutralizing antibodies against both wild-type and significant variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

According to a Dec. 20, 2021 press release, the product is a ready-to-use 96-well kit containing premixed magnetic capture beads, a detection converting enzyme (ACE)-2 receptor, a standard and positive control, and buffers that measure levels of neutralizing antibodies and percentage inhibition of the ACE-2 receptor binding the viral antigens coupled on the beads.

“As variants of interest and concern become the predominant forms of SARS-CoV-2 infecting populations, it’s critical to understand whether the antibodies, elicited by a prior COVID-19 infection or vaccination, are still able to neutralize the circulating virus variants,” said Candice Cox, Bio-Rad immunoassays marketing manager, Life Science Group, in the press release. “We are pleased to be able to add these neutralizing antibody assays to our offering of existing Bio-Plex Pro IgA, IgG, and IgM 4-plex serology kits for COVID-19 related research in vaccine development and post-market surveillance studies.”

It will be offered in an 11-plex complete all-in-one kit format that consists of wild-type receptor-binding domain (RBD) and S1 and 9 variant antigens, customizable singleplex assays, and 2-plex Delta variant coupled beads. Additionally, a custom Assay Developer Kit to create assays for any new SARS-CoV-2 variant—such as Omicron—is included.

Source: Bio-Rad