A newly-launched novel air-dryable RT-qPCR mix aims to further decrease costs and simplify workflows for manufacturers of COVID-19 molecular tests.

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (Cincinnati, OH, USA) has launched an Air-Dryable RT-qPCR Mix, driving innovation in the development of molecular tests with ambient temperature stability. The specialized master mix is designed for air-drying, a cost-effective and easier alternative to lyophilization.

While molecular diagnostic tests are progressively moving towards a dried-down format, there are technical challenges in developing lyophilization-compatible mixes that require lengthy optimization and expensive lyophilization equipment. Meridian has developed a ready-to-use, air-dryable RT-qPCR mix to meet the growing demand within the molecular diagnostics industry for an easier and more cost-effective method of drying RNA assays.

Meridian’s Air-Dryable RT-qPCR Mix has been designed to simplify development, manufacturing and storage of molecular assays while delivering fast detection of RNA targets, an ideal solution for COVID-19 assay development. Its one-tube format chemistry containing all reagents necessary for a RT-qPCR, including magnesium, dNTP and reverse transcriptase, not only shortens assay optimization but is also compatible with air-drying protocols. The new mix shows exceptionally high performance in both singleplex and multiplex reactions following rehydration, making it ideally suited for a wide range of instruments from automated high-throughput platforms to point-of-care devices.

“Over the last 12 months, we have seen a significant increase in demand for our Lyo-Ready RT-qPCR mixes; however, not all our customers have the expertise in-house to lyophilize,” said Florent Chang-Pi-Hin, PhD, Senior Director of Research and Development at Meridian Bioscience. “Building on the launch of our Air-Dryable qPCR Mix earlier this year, our new Air-Dryable RT-qPCR Mix represents a perfect solution for the development of ambient temperature stable assays for RNA targets, which is so important today with the global fight against SARS-CoV-2.”

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