Roche has introduced its new cobas® Respiratory flex test, powered by the innovative TAGS technology, capable of identifying up to 15 pathogens in a single PCR test. The first application targets 12 common respiratory viruses, including influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2, allowing for targeted and flexible testing. This launch is set to revolutionize respiratory diagnostics by enabling syndromic panel testing across Roche’s cobas® systems.
TAGS technology improves on traditional PCR tests by expanding their multiplexing capabilities, allowing the detection of more pathogens without additional hardware upgrades. The cobas® Respiratory flex test provides clinicians with faster, more comprehensive results, crucial in diagnosing respiratory illnesses with overlapping symptoms. The ability to select specific pathogens for testing makes it adaptable to seasonal and patient-specific factors, further improving diagnostic efficiency.
Roche's portfolio expansion comes at a critical time as respiratory outbreaks and antimicrobial resistance grow. The cobas® Respiratory flex test is now available in CE-mark countries, with FDA approval expected soon. Roche plans to extend the use of TAGS technology to other infectious diseases, bringing high throughput and personalized testing to more clinical labs globally.
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