Redundant targets extend coverage to provide detection of seasonal and emerging novel viruses

Cepheid have released in Europe, the Xpert^® Flu/RSV XC, an on-demand molecular test for rapid, accurate and reliable determination of Flu A, Flu B, and differentiation of RSV infection. The test will be marketed as a CE-IVD product, bringing the total number of tests available to eighteen. Xpert Flu/RSV XC runs on Cepheid's GeneXpert^® System, the world's leading molecular diagnostic platform with more than 7,000 systems installed to date.

"Influenza strains are notoriously unpredictable and the severity of flu outbreaks can vary widely from season to season," said John Bishop, Cepheid's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "While no one can know exactly which influenza strains will show up in their clinics and emergency rooms, with Xpert Flu/RSV XC hospitals and clinicians can be prepared to reliably diagnose and differentiate influenza strains in real-time."

"We employed a novel in silico approach to identify multiple complementary target segments to avoid the effects of seasonal genetic drift and to anticipate emerging novel influenza strains. Though simple to perform, Xpert Flu/RSV XC is a highly multiplexed, state-of-the-art test for rapid and accurate detection and differentiation of Flu A, Flu B, and RSV infection," said David Persing, M.D., Ph.D., Cepheid's Chief Medical and Technology Officer. "This test may also become a valuable asset in efforts toward pandemic preparedness because it was designed from its inception to provide unprecedented coverage of avian influenza strains."

Xpert Flu/RSV XC begins shipping this month as a CE-IVD Mark product.