A Customer Success Story
An Atlanta-based laboratory Ipsum Diagnostics raced to develop and implement a COVID-19 test on a massive scale. However, the wait for supplies was two to three weeks, and time was critical. By reaching out to Omega Bio-tek, also based in Atlanta, Ipsum Diagnostics received immediate and same-day help in its hour of need.
Finding Viral RNA extraction kits
Ipsum Diagnostics, a member of Georgia’s health care provider community, is an anatomical and clinical pathology laboratory specializing in molecular services that utilize polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify various infectious diseases. When COVID-19 testing became the utmost priority globally, Ipsum directed its research to develop a diagnostic assay for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as the lab vigorously worked to complete its application for an EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For Ipsum to offer an accurate laboratory-developed test for rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 from patient samples, the isolation of high-quality viral RNA was imperative. Ipsum faced-a viral kit shortage from leading nucleic acid kit suppliers, and they needed an extraction kit compatible with the KingFisher™ Flex. A constant and regular supply of viral RNA extraction kits was critical to ensure Ipsum produced a successful high-throughput COVID-19 diagnostic assay and could offer continued testing services to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Ipsum turned to Omega Bio-tek, a nucleic acid isolation company, to deliver a high-throughput viral RNA purification solution, automated on the KingFisher Flex.
Planning pays off- Omega Bio-tek quickly provides extraction solutions and automation support
At the time Ipsum reached out, Omega Bio-tek was already ramping up production capacity to 6 million nucleic acid purification preps per month. Ipsum was pleasantly surprised to find RNA extraction kits in stock, available, and ready for local pickup. Omega Bio-tek’s Mag-Bind® Viral DNA/RNA 96 Kit was a perfect match for Ipsum’s KingFisher Flex processing. Omega Bio-tek’s Field Application Specialists successfully implemented the high-thoughput RNA purification solution with ready-to-load scripts, and on the weekend no less.
“Ipsum Diagnostics reached out to us with interest to purchase our kits on a Saturday, and we were able to process the order, provide robotic scripts, and offer pickup at our location that same day. We had already increased our manufacturing production of our magnetic beads and our Mag-Bind Viral DNA/RNA 96 Kit, which included working weekends,” said Travis Butts, Vice President of Omega Bio-tek.
Ipsum was impressed with the high sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 detection and the ability to achieve high-throughput processing using Omega Bio-tek’s kit. Ipsum’s KingFisher Flex systems could seamlessly run the Omega Bio-tek Mag-Bind Viral DNA/RNA 96 Kit. On April 1, 2020, the FDA granted Ipsum an EUA for its COVID-19 assay (COV-19 IDx), which included the Omega Bio-tek Mag-Bind Viral DNA/RNA 96 Kit (M6246-03).
Ipsum was issued the 23rd FDA EUA for COVID-19 testing, and only a few of these recipients were laboratories. Since Ipsum was one of the first labs to get the FDA EUA, this paved the way for other labs to follow. The pandemic required innovative solutions, and this gave other labs awareness of Omega’s Mag-Bind Viral DNA/RNA 96 Kit as an option. By having the kit used in an approved EUA, other labs could also quickly pivot and develop their solutions using the Omega kit. Since receiving the FDA EUA, Ipsum has provided Georgia with improved testing and faster turnaround times. Currently, test results are available to patients and providers in less than 24 hours. Ipsum could not have achieved these outcomes without the Mag-Bind Viral DNA/RNA 96 Kit reliably supplied by Omega Bio-tek. Additionally, Ipsum could increase its testing capacity from 1,000 to 11,000 tests per day and meet the high-volume testing demand with the automation scripting support received from Omega Bio-tek.
How Omega Bio-tek helps companies with high-throughput and flexible product solutions
Omega Bio-tek provides customer-focused support, including scripting assistance for their kits on various magnetic processors and liquid handling systems. With flexible product solutions, Omega matches customer needs by offering diverse product options for DNA and RNA purification including individual components and custom kits. The average Omega Bio-tek customer saves over 30% on its consumable costs and is overall extremely satisfied with the level of support Omega Bio-tek provides.
Omega Bio-tek is committed to supporting laboratories and researchers worldwide to combat COVID-19. Learn more about our viral RNA extraction kit and supported automation platforms here.
