DiaCarta SARS-CoV-2 Test Detecting 3 Viral Genes Receives US FDA Emergency Use Authorization & Test Manufacturing Expanded to 500K COVID-19 Tests/Week
Richmond, California, April 9, 2020.
DiaCarta Inc, a precision molecular diagnostic company in CA, announced Thursday the US FDA granted Emergency Use Authorization for DiaCarta’s proprietary QuantiVirus™ PCR diagnostic (Dx) test specifically detecting three different genes of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the COVID-19 pandemic. DiaCarta recently expanded manufacturing capacity to 500,000 tests per week and is planning to expand to even larger (4x) scale manufacturing to meet the increasing demand for PCR tests to monitor COVID-19.
The QuantiVirus™ test detects all currently known strains of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swabs, oropharyngeal swabs and sputum samples. The three viral RNA-encoded genes are the N, Orf1ab and E genes detected by real-time quantitative Reverse Transcriptase PCR assay enabling high sensitivity and specificity with a limit of detection of 100 copies/mL without any detectable cross-reactivity to other human respiratory pathogens.
Customers, including US reference labs and hospitals with high-complexity molecular Dx laboratories can now use QuantiVirus™ kits to detect SARS-CoV-2 within 2 hours following RNA extraction. “We are already supporting laboratories in the US and overseas to meet their increasing testing needs,” said Ram Vairavan PhD, DiaCarta Senior Vice President, “as our Dx reagent kit can be used with commonly available PCR instruments, such as Applied Biosystems 7500 and QuantStudio 5. We have validated this Dx test in our CLIA lab and are serving current needs of global organizations offering SARS-CoV-2 testing to front line providers.” DiaCarta announced earlier that it has received Conformitè Europëenne (CE) Mark for its product.
About DiaCarta Inc.
DiaCarta is a molecular diagnostics company that has developed innovative technologies that transforms patient care by providing effective precision diagnostics using liquid biopsy. Its novel XNA technology provides high level of sensitivity as it binds to the wild-type sequence and enables only the mutant target sequence to get amplified. Using this technology, the company has developed its highly sensitive ColoScape™ early detection Colorectal Cancer test using blood. Powered by its SuperbDNA™ technology that provides high level of detection as it amplifies the signal and requires no RNA/DNA extraction or amplification, the company has developed its revolutionary RadTox™ test that personalizes radiation therapy, mitigates adverse events and enhances patient care. Based in Richmond, California the company is GMP-compliant and offers CLIA certified laboratory services to its customers. www.diacarta.com
DiaCarta Receives Accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP)
DiaCarta, Ltd. (“DiaCarta”), a novel molecular diagnostic test developer for cancer and infectious diseases, today announced that it has received accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for its CLIA certified lab. This accreditation is awarded to facilities that meet the high standards of quality, accuracy, and consistency in laboratory services required by CAP and underscores DiaCarta’s leadership and commitment to excellence.
DiaCarta Announces Five Abstracts Accepted for Presentation at AACR Annual Meeting 2023
DiaCarta, Ltd. (“DiaCarta”), a precision molecular diagnostics company, today announced that it will present five data posters at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2023, which convenes in Orlando, Florida from April 14-19, 2023.
DiaCarta Receives U.S. FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its Monkeypox Test Kit
DiaCarta, Ltd. (“DiaCarta”), a precision molecular diagnostics company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its QuantiVirus™ MPXV test, which is a PCR test for the qualitative detection of DNA from monkeypox virus (MPXV) in lesion swabs collected from individuals suspected of monkeypox infection.
DiaCarta Announces Successful Completion of Oncuria® Validation Study with Nonagen Bioscience
DiaCarta, Ltd. (“DiaCarta”), a precision molecular diagnostics company, and Nonagen Bioscience Corporation (“Nonagen”), a cancer diagnostics company, today announced the successful completion of the validation study of Oncuria® multiplex bladder cancer immunoassay as a laboratory developed test (“LDT”). DiaCarta also announced that it has begun receiving patient urine samples for testing in its CLIA certified lab in Pleasanton, California.
DiaCarta to Become a Publicly Listed Company Through Merger with HH&L Acquisition Co.
DiaCarta, Ltd., a precision molecular diagnostics company and developer of novel oncology and infectious disease tests, and HH&L Acquisition Co. (NYSE: HHLA.U, HHLA, HHLA WS) (“HH&L”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”), today announced that they entered into a definitive business combination agreement (the “Business Combination Agreement”) that is expected to result in DiaCarta becoming a publicly listed company (the “Transaction” or “Business Combination”). The Transaction is expected to provide DiaCarta with access to the approximately $414 million cash from HH&L’s IPO proceeds held in trust, assuming no redemptions by HH&L’s shareholders and prior to the payment of transaction expenses, and potential additional financing to catalyze DiaCarta’s growth. The Transaction implies a pre-money equity value of $460 million for DiaCarta on a fully diluted basis and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023. The Transaction positions DiaCarta to capitalize on significant future growth within existing and new markets.