RECORDING NOW ONLINE: Webinar 'Leveraging GeneXpert for TB and Coronavirus testing'

Leveraging GeneXpert for Tuberculosis and Coronavirus testing, 21 April 2020

Recorded Webinar and presentations now online for viewing.

Cepheid has successfully developed cartridges to test SARS-CoV-2, which could be leveraged in TB networks and GeneXpert machines. Presentations:

Intro to GeneXpert and updates on TB products - Devasena Gnanashanmugam, Cepheid Inc

Leveraging GeneXpert for SARS-Cov2 testing - Michael Loeffelholz, Cepheid Inc

Discussion focused on technical details on how the test works (its accuracy, throughput, cost, etc); What sample to use - can sputum be used? Whether MTB/RIF and SARS-COV cartridges be run at the same time, and what the biosafety issues are for TB and COV. Further discussion focused on the production situation, regulatory matters and how to procure the tests (incl through StopTB/GDF). It was concluded that GeneXpert should be actively used to support testing for SARS-COV2, however, clear concern was raised to continue the GeneXpert systems for TB testing  - and not neglect Tuberculosis testing. 

Thanks to everyone for your active participation and many questions. A Q&A is under development and will be posted as soon as we have it available.  

Click HERE to view the full webinar, to listen to the audio, and HERE to join the ongoing discussion.