Roche has introduced the cobas HBV quantitative nucleic acid test for use on the cobas 6800/8800 Systems—adding to the viral load monitoring portfolio on the newest molecular diagnostic platforms from Roche. The new assay offers broad coverage of all known Hepatitis B (HBV) genotypes (A-H) with high sensitivity, across all critical medical decision points.

“With the cobas HBV assay, laboratories now have a highly robust and sensitive assay for quantifying HBV DNA, with a lower sample requirement that provides a new standard of flexibility," said Roland Diggelmann, COO, Roche Diagnostics.

This assay builds on the viral load monitoring portfolio (cobas HIV-1, HCV and CMV) for the cobas 6800/8800 Systems that was launched in late 2014. The cobas 6800/8800 Systems, combined with the viral load assay portfolio, are designed to improve laboratory efficiencies while providing the rapid results needed to make informed treatment decisions. The cobas HBV assay and the cobas 6800/8800 Systems are commercially available in markets that recognize CE-Mark. Both products are not currently available in the United States.

The cobas 6800 and 8800 Systems are fully automated solutions designed for blood donor screening, viral load monitoring, women's health and microbiology testing. They are available in medium and high throughput models, respectively. Based on the Nobel-prize winning PCR technology, the systems are designed to deliver increased automation and throughput with shorter time to results, providing users with greater testing flexibility to increase overall workflow efficiencies.

The systems provide up to 96 results in less than 3.5 hours, and a total of 384 results for the cobas 6800 System and 960 results for the cobas 8800 System in an 8 hours shift3. Both systems allow for mixed batching, making it possible for labs to perform up to three tests in the same run with no pre-sorting required. The systems also enable up to eight hours (cobas 6800) and four hours (cobas 8800) of "work-away" time2 with minimal user interaction.

cobas HIV-1 is a real-time PCR test built upon the dual-target assay design from Roche. The test simultaneously amplifies and detects two separate regions of the HIV-1 genome, which are not subject to selective drug pressure, allowing for more reliable results to confidently and effectively quantify the amount of HIV-1 RNA in a patient's blood.

cobas HCV is a real-time PCR test that employs Roche's unique dual-probe approach to provide an extra layer of protection against mutations that can occur in the viral genome and is designed to accurately detect and quantify hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid (RNA) with state-of-the-art sensitivity in order to assess a patient's response to antiviral therapy.

cobas HBV is a real-time PCR test designed to offer an expanded linear range with two input volumes coupled with broad coverage of all known HBV genotypes (A-H), including pre-core mutations with high sensitivity.

cobas CMV is a real-time PCR test traceable to the first WHO International Standard for Human Cytomegalovirus for Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques (NIBSC 09/162), therefore provides consistent, reliable results across the dynamic range of the assay and across institutions.

cobas MPX is a real-time PCR multiplex test covering five critical viral targets: HIV-1 Group M, HIV-1 Group O, HIV-2, HCV and HBV, from a single sample. It offers real-time detection and identification of HIV, HCV and HBV, eliminating both the need for discriminatory testing and the potential for discrepant results. Plus, the dual-target approach with amplification of separate regions of HIV-1, and dual probes for HCV, improve coverage of new virus variants.

cobas WNV is a real-time PCR test for West Nile virus (WNV) that is highly sensitive for both WNV lineages 1 and 2. It also provides broad coverage of other flaviviruses that cause transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases.

cobas HEV is a real-time PCR test for hepatitis E virus (HEV), providing broad coverage of all 4 major HEV genotypes.