Tosoh Corporation has begun development of a reagent that can detect the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It employs the TRC reaction method that can amplify and detect nucleic acids (RNA). By using the reagent together with its existing molecular analyzer, TRCReady® – 80, the company aims to develop a test kit that can detect the new coronavirus in less than 50 minutes.

The molecular analyzer, which is one of the products managed by Tosoh’s Bioscience business, was designed to be rapid, easy and compact. It utilizes the TRC method to detect norovirus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, non-tuberculosis Mycobacterium (MAC), and sexually transmitted diseases that require speed in testing. Tosoh Corporation will cooperate with various research institutes and public institutions and utilize its accumulated technologies and knowledge to work on early development of the test kit.

About the TRC reaction method:

The TRC reaction method (Transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction method) is a molecular-based procedure that combines the transcription-reverse transcription concerted reaction to amplify nucleic acids (RNA) isothermally and a INAF probe (Intertcalation Activating Fluorescence probe) that enhances fluorescence by binding to the nucleic acid to make it easily detectable.

Features of our TRC reaction method test include: (1) rapid amplification of target nucleic acids because of a continuous transcription-reverse transcription reaction, (2) test results with high sensitivity as it tests for RNA (3) risk reduction of false negative results by simultaneously amplifying and monitoring internal controls, and (4) ease of work as the process is fully automated, from nucleic acid purification to the amplification to and detection of nucleic acids.