Laboratory testing company Ethos Laboratories reported on Monday the successful validation of a high-throughput molecular test for the detection of key SARS-CoV-2 virus strains, including the UK (B.1.1.7), South Africa (B.1.351), Brazil (P.1) variants.

The company said the current genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants is conducted using gene-sequencing technologies, which are not amendable to high-throughput testing. The time required to sequence a sample and submit findings into public databases is ten days.

According to the company, its Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time Of Flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry method allows for the analysis of up to 15,000 samples per day with results available in as little as six hours.

All three variants included in the company's novel high-throughput test offering are classified as variants of concern by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This classification is assigned when there is sufficient evidence that the variant exhibits increased transmissibility, induces more severe disease (increased hospitalizations or deaths), reduces the neutralization capacity of antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, or reduces the effectiveness of treatments, vaccines, or diagnostic detection accuracy.