7 July 2021 - - US-based biotechnology company Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics is highlighting milestone study results in The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine from the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (Oxford Academia), the company said.

The research article, "Rapid and Safe Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Virus RNA Using Onsite qPCR Diagnostic Testing from Clinical Specimens Collected in Molecular Transport Medium," is the first published study to bridge the PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium (MTM), an FDA cleared collection device, with Switzerland-based Roche's (SIX: RO) (OTCQX: RHHBY) cobas Liat, a point-of-care FDA approved diagnostic system for simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and influenza A/B viruses.

For SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A/B viruses, the necessity for safe sample testing, which includes RNA/DNA inactivation, is important to preserve the dignity of each sample and to ensure lab technicians are handling secure transport tools.

Since clinical swabs are inactivated and RNA/DNA is preserved in PrimeStore MTM, processing and running patient samples on the Roche Liat System provides a safe alternative to commercial viral/universal transport medium, particularly at urgent care clinics and doctor's offices for near-patient care.

PrimeStore MTM (Molecule Transport Medium) was the first microbial nucleic acid storage and transport device cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA).

It is indicated to rapidly inactivate viruses (including Influenza), bacteria (including Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and high consequence veterinary pathogens (including ASFv, CSFv, FMDv, HPAI, NDv) within the sample and stabilize the RNA and DNA to provide safer and more efficient workflow for molecular testing and sequencing.

PrimeStore MTM alleviates the challenge of collecting a quality sample and transporting it in a safe and timely manner to any laboratory that can effectively test that sample using modern molecular platforms. Researchers worldwide have used the device successfully, including in remote regions of Nepal, India, China, South Africa, Peru, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, and Ukraine, as well as densely populated cities such as Mumbai, Pretoria, Macau and Singapore.

PrimeStore MTM has multiple issued patents in the United States and worldwide.

Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics is a molecular tool, assay and vaccine development company focused on serving unmet critical needs in both developed and developing nations.

Longhorn's core product, PrimeStore Molecular Transport Medium, is a patented, FDA approved, state-of-the-art ambient temperature molecular diagnostic collection and transport device that can help governments, global health organizations and drug manufacturers improve the diagnosis and treatment of highly infectious diseases such as Influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Unlike standard devices for collecting and transporting TB samples, PrimeStore MTM is the first molecular transport device that can safely deactivate pathogens and stabilize RNA and DNA, allowing enhanced point of care and ambient temperature transport for laboratory based molecular testing and characterization, the company said.