Beckman Coulter Life Sciences Collaborates with Fry Laboratories, LLC and BioID Genomics, Inc. Developing a Next Generation Sequencing Solution for SARS-CoV-2 and Viral Detection

(Indianapolis, Indiana - August 14, 2020) Beckman Coulter Life Sciences announced today that it is collaborating with Fry Laboratories, LLC and BioID Genomics, Inc., for the development of rapid next generation sequencing (NGS) diagnostics for the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The collaboration focuses on establishing high-throughput and capable SARS-CoV-2 detection under the current FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) guidelines.

Beckman Coulter’s expertise in nucleic acid purification, automation solutions, and key reagents used in NGS applications, combined with Fry Laboratories NGS library preparation technologies, cloud-based data analysis platforms, and the kit manufacturing experience at BioID Genomics, are poised to significantly change the COVID-19 diagnostics landscape.

Greg Milosevich, President of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, said, “We believe the integration of these diverse technologies for high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 detection will result in next-level molecular testing for COVID-19. According to the most knowledgeable experts, the world will continue to battle this pandemic for at least another year or more. We’re excited to work with Fry Laboratories and BioID Genomics to bring a unique solution to the market at this critical time.”

The system is being positioned for evaluation by the BARDA program and is currently undergoing data collection for an EUA by the FDA. Significant effort is being placed on enabling the assay to be flexible and adaptable given the changing COVID-19 landscape and the shifting understanding of the needs of the healthcare system during the pandemic. By harnessing the massive scale of DNA sequencing capabilities now obtainable by NGS—and the patented and proprietary methods utilized by Fry Laboratories—diagnostic systems can be designed to precisely sense and measure more targets than are currently addressable by quantitative and other standard molecular assays.

Jeremy Ellis, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, BioID Genomics, said, “The collective scientific and medical experience with SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated that we should expect the unexpected. Simply put, what matters today, may not be important tomorrow. As such, we need to build adaptability in our diagnostic solutions from the beginning, so we may stay one step ahead of the pandemic. In this paradigm, we assume less, analyze more, and build systems that can be updated as our understanding evolves.”

For more information on Beckman Coulter Life Sciences’ solutions for NGS, contact us today. For more information on the rapidly changing EUA approved diagnostics for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, visit the FDA website. For more information on BARDA’s efforts with the COVID-19 response, visit the Department of Health & Human Services website.

About Fry Laboratories and BioID Genomics

Fry Laboratories is a CLIA certified independent clinical diagnostics and research laboratory located in Scottsdale, Ariz., founded in 2007. Fry Laboratories develops and provides clinical services utilizing advanced and proprietary next generation DNA sequencing technologies. BioID Genomics, an affiliate of Fry Laboratories, is a company focused on bringing many of the technological innovations developed by Fry Laboratories to other laboratories thereby reducing the technical hurdles for NGS adoption and deployment. BioID Genomics launched its flagship 16S Microbial ID Kit early in 2020; however, both Fry Laboratories and BioID Genomics have targeted SARS-CoV-2 for the next round of assays, technologies, and products. Fry Laboratories and BioID Genomics are committed to developing and distributing seamless and integrated assays and bioinformatics. The microbiology NGS revolution is our primary focus. For more information visit www.frylabs.com and www.bioidgenomics.com.

About Beckman Coulter Life Sciences

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences has helped establish test sites globally for a broad range of customer sizes and testing requirements. For more than 80 years, we have been a trusted partner for laboratory professionals, helping to advance scientific research and patient care. We have a vital role: our focus on innovation, reliability and efficiency has led us to become the partner of choice for clinical, research and industrial customers around the globe. For more information, contact us today.