Roka Bioscience have initiated the external evaluation process for AOAC certification of the Listeria Detection Assay. This evaluation is the final step required to receive AOAC Research Institute (AOAC-RI) certification of methods used in the food safety industry. The field study is conducted by a third-party laboratory and monitored by AOAC. The internal portion of the evaluation began in July. We expect to complete both the internal and external evaluations in the fourth quarter.

The Listeria Detection Assay runs on the Roka Automated Instrument, an innovative fully automated molecular system for the detection of food pathogens in food and environmental samples. This instrument utilizes a simple three-step procedure-Enrich, Transfer, Automate-and is capable of processing over 300 samples in 8 hours. The instrument's dynamic scalability and high throughput provides greater efficiency, flexibility, and freedom to meet the ever-increasing demands placed on food safety laboratories.

The initial menu for the Roka Automated Instrument will be the Listeria and Salmonella Detection Assays. Upon the completion of the Listeria Detection Assay evaluation, the Salmonella Detection Assay will be submitted for external evaluation. The Salmonella Detection Assay internal and external evaluations will begin in Q4 2011.