With the increased reliance on saliva based testing, US based Fluidigm has revealed that its Advanta Dx SARS-COV-2 RT-PCR kit, which is a saliva based diagnostic test has been authorized for use in India.

This kit facilitates SARS-CoV-2 detection from saliva samples easing the sample collection process & eliminating the need for Viral RNA extraction process. The kit is compatible with Fluidigm’s high-throughput Biomark HD platform. Fluidigm claims that with certain configurations, the Biomark HD system can run a maximum of 6000 samples and controls per day.

This FDA-EUA approved kit has also now received DCGI-CDSCO license for use in India by ICMR approved testing labs as per their guidelines. This test kit from Fluidigm is sold and marketed by Premas Lifesciences Pvt Ltd, New Delhi in India.

Praveen Gupta, MD, Premas Lifesciences says, “Fluidigm’s much-needed non-invasive saliva-based test comes at a critical time in the pandemic, and we are pleased to be able to facilitate availability of the Advanta assay in India.”

In a recent announcement, Chris Linthwaite, President & CEO, Fluidigm said, “We are now in discussions with potential customers, which include private testing labs as well as academic institutions and government medical centres. We are honored for the opportunity to advance the availability of non-invasive saliva-based COVID-19 testing in India at this critical time.”