Hologic launches new COVID-testing device in Europe

Photo | Grant Welker Hologic's Marlborough headquarters

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By Alexander MacDougall

Marlborough-based Hologic Inc. announced on Monday that it was launching new respiratory and molecular diagnostic devices in the European market to assist in the detection of COVID-19, as well as for the general flu season.

The devices are known as the Panther Fusion SARS-CoV-2/Flu A/B/RSV assay and its Novodiag RESP-4 molecular diagnostic test. Both have been found to be in compliance with European In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Directive, which regulates devices within the EU.

European countries, as in the U.S., have seen a steady rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, with newer versions of the omicron variant contributing to the increase.

"As we move into the next phase of COVID, it is important that we evolve our assays to support our customers with tests that enable them to differentiate between the multiple respiratory pathogens as easily as possible,” said Jan Verstreken, group international president for Hologic. “The ability to accurately differentiate between respiratory viruses with similar symptoms is essential if physicians are to ensure optimized care for each patient.”

In addition to being able to detect COVID-19, the devices are also capable of detecting and differentiating with three other types of respiratory viruses: influenza A (Flu A), influenza B (Flu B) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).