Paragon Genomics introduces NGS panel for research and surveillance of COVID-19

Paragon Genomics, Inc., a leader in amplicon-based target enrichment solutions for next-generation sequencing (NGS) and precision medicine, has announced availability of its CleanPlex^® SARS-CoV-2 Panel for COVID-19 coronavirus detection, tracking and research via amplicon-based target enrichment for NGS applications. The highly multiplexed target enrichment panel covers the entire genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic, enabling complete genome sequencing and epidemiological studies of this dangerous new pathogen.

The CleanPlex SARS-CoV-2 Panel’s four-step workflow converts viral RNA into sequencing-ready libraries in just five hours. It is powered by Paragon Genomics’ CleanPlex technology, which uses a proprietary multiplex PCR background cleaning chemistry to effectively remove non-specific PCR products, resulting in best-in-class target enrichment performance and efficient use of sequencing reads.

Versions of the panel are available for both the Illumina and MGI sequencing platforms.

Paragon Genomics CEO Tao Chen commented, “It is imperative that researchers learn more about the SARS-CoV-2 virus if we are to mount effective campaigns to treat and prevent it. Our CleanPlex target enrichment technology is well suited to support this effort. It greatly facilitates genomic studies of the virus, rapidly converting viral RNA into sequencing-ready libraries in a few hours’ time using a streamlined, efficient and cost-effective workflow that works well with low viral loads.”

Mr. Chen added, “We know this virus rapidly mutates so we ensured the new panel provides high coverage of target regions to provide sensitive detection in the presence of mutations. With sequencing, these mutations can also be tracked to study the path of infection and examine different strains. Our testing shows the panel achieves superb performance with sensitivity superior to traditional qPCR methods. We believe the CleanPlex SARS-CoV-2 Panel can contribute to global efforts to control and contain this devastating new disease, and I want to acknowledge the outstanding work of our researchers who developed and validated the panel in record time.”

Paragon Genomics' CleanPlex is a proprietary, ultra-high multiplexed NGS target enrichment technology featuring an innovative PCR background cleaning chemistry that allows tens of thousands of amplicons to be multiplexed in a single reaction pool, allowing a large number of targets to be interrogated in a single assay. The CleanPlex technology is available as ready-to-use panels or as customized assays designed and optimized using the company’s advanced panel design algorithm.

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