Roche launched new Flow system for use with Laboratory Developed Tests (LDT) in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America. This user-defined system offers full flexibility throughout the chain workFlow, from the manipulation of the primary sample for analysis of qPCR results.

The system has a wide range of applications in laboratory microbiology and virology. Furthermore, the comprehensive offering of Roche reagents, controls, and designed and optimized to work in instrumentation Flow trials, brings a new level of convenience and standardization of laboratories that perform a high volume of LDTs.

The standardization of workFlow automation and data activated by Flow are designed for applications typically required by laboratories that perform laboratory tests developed with diverse menus of molecular tests, large numbers of samples and large target range. The software Flow connects all steps of the process, allowing a new level of reliability and reproducibility of results provides full traceability of data and direct communication with the laboratory information system (LIS).

"We were impressed with the flexibility that Flow offers to our requests and needs," said Kurt Handberg, Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Aarhus, Skejby, Denmark. "Flow is an open system, which allows us to apply our own in-house testing. Moreover, it clearly improved the traceability of results of qPCR tests, reducing the burden of repetitive work of our technicians."

"Customers with LDT high performance applications need high reliability of results, which is improved by automating the workFlow," said Paul Brown, head of Roche Molecular Diagnostics. "With the launch of Flow, we can improve automation in LDT scenario with the first solution workFlow qPCR with IT support and sample the outcome developed our technologies and well established systems. To date, we have received much feedback positive pilot users in European countries, highlighting the increased reliability of the results."

Flow system is immediately available in Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America. This system is not available in the US and other territories.

Flow system is a non-IVD for general laboratory use consisting of five components: Software Flow, Primary Processing System Sample Flow, MagNA Pure 96 System for automated purification of nucleic acid, System Configuration Flow PCR and LightCycler system 480 for amplification. Flow software is able to communicate with the laboratory information system (LIS) client, getting samples and analyzing information associated with the request to generate worklists.

Roche is a leader in health care focused on research with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics products.