LGC’s ultra-high throughput Nexar™ technology provides significant PCR testing capacity at Rosalind Franklin Laboratory

LGC has announced it has brought on stream its ultra-high throughput PCR Nexar workflow at the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory, part of the NHS Test and Trace laboratory network, in order to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus. This represents a milestone in the UK’s response to the pandemic, as the workflow enables up to 150,000 diagnostic tests per day per system. This is the highest PCR testing capacity per system worldwide.

LGC has been leading the development of high-capacity diagnostic testing. Two LGC, Biosearch Technologies SARS-CoV-2 testing workflows have been on-stream at the Milton Keynes Lighthouse laboratory, run by the UK Biocentre, since January 2021. The addition of the workflows at the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory offers further COVID-19 testing capabilities, whether for diagnostic or outbreak monitoring purposes, with:

• A significant reduction in the volume of PCR components required for the tests, providing significant cost savings and reducing supply chain pressures;
• A validated PCR technology providing benchmarked, gold standard high quality, sensitivity and accuracy based on clinical data.

Tim Robinson CBE, Chief Executive, LGC, said, “LGC is honored to continue to support the UK government in its response to the pandemic, through this collaboration with NHS Test and Trace. Since bringing our technology on stream at the Lighthouse laboratory in Milton Keynes, our colleagues have been working with the Rosalind Franklin Laboratory team to verify, validate and qualify this technology in the end-to-end workflow. I am proud that our proven PCR technology provides leading testing capacity at a scale not seen anywhere else worldwide, whilst also enabling substantial savings. Ultra-high throughput PCR testing is an essential tool and can make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.”

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