14 April 2021 - - US-based central laboratory Infinity BiologiX has been awarded a contract from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "Genomic Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 Variants," to provide genomic sequencing and new variant identification of samples of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, the company said.

IBX said it will sequence the viral genomes of random, de-identified samples in the US that test positive in the course of providing molecular diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2 for providers and patients.

IBX will provide the CDC with completed whole viral sequences in order to aid the CDC in its large-scale longitudinal genomic survey of the virus.

The CDC's survey expects to provide baseline information for national and state-level surveillance, identify new variants, and ultimately improve the public health response in the US.

IBX launched its COVID-19 saliva-test in May, after receiving FDA emergency use authorization.

The company said it was the first test to utilize saliva as the primary biomaterial for SARS-CoV-2, and IBX subsequently became the first company to offer an at-home collection with this approach, to date IBX has performed almost 7 m diagnostic tests across its 2 sites in NJ (Piscataway) and MN (Oakdale).

Infinity BiologiX provides global sample collection, processing, storage, and analytical services integrated with scientific and technical support in both the research and clinical arenas.

As specialist in biomaterials, IBX provides support to the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and research in the genomics, precision, and regenerative medicine arenas.

IBX previously operated as RUCDR Infinite Biologics before spinning off from Rutgers University-New Brunswick in August 2020.