Waltham, Massachusetts-based Thermo Fisher designed its Renvo rapid in-air pathogen PCR test for detecting the virus on air samples collected through the company’s Thermo Scientific AerosolSense Sampler.
According to a news release, the company designed the test for environmental surveillance only, rather than diagnostic purposes, in communal locations like schools, businesses, healthcare facilities, government buildings nad other public areas. It offers fast, accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus causing COVID-19) pathogens through indoor air sampling without the need for specialized training or sending samples to a lab for analysis.
Thermo Fisher’s system uses proprietary Oscar PCR technology to shorten thermocycling times and produce results in just 30 minutes, improving on the four to 24-hour testing turnaround time previously available using the AerosolSense Sampler service.
“As the world learns to live with COVID-19 and adapts to the rapidly changing dynamics of new variants, there is a clear need for heightened surveillance and testing of indoor air quality,” Thermo Fisher VP and GM of Environmental and Process Monitoring Siqi Tan said in the release. “For facilities that already have our AerosolSense Samplers, the Renvo Rapid PCR Test can be used as an accessory to strengthen their testing processes. The powerful combination of the AerosolSense Sampler and the Renvo Rapid PCR Test offers fast, highly accurate environmental surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 for greater peace of mind.”
