Tecan & Thermo Fisher expand corona testing capacity

The Tecan Group from Männedorf in the canton of Zurich and U.S. Thermo Fisher Scientific are combining their technologies to test for coronavirus. Their high-throughput system is designed to analyze up to 6,000 samples per day, which will enable laboratories to double or even triple their testing capacity. 

Thermo Fisher’s molecular diagnostic testing system will integrate Tecan instruments and liquid handling solutions for laboratory automation. The system also includes Tecan software, specifically instrument and consumables usage analysis and reporting software. According to a press release, “minimal hands-on time, laboratory space and staffing resources” are required by the modular solution.

“Increased testing capability is an essential part of any community’s plan to reopen schools and businesses,” said Marc N. Casper, CEO of Thermo Fisher. “This more automated, high-throughput solution will enable laboratories around the world to increase testing volumes and help the public get their test results faster.”

Tecan’s CEO Dr Achim von Leoprechting commented: “In this unprecedented time, we are passionately contributing to the international efforts to turn the tide on COVID-19 by empowering the scientific and clinical communities to accelerate research, aiding the discovery of treatments and scaling up testing globally.”