Roche launches complete detection kit for influenza A /H1N1

PENZBERG, Germany Roche Applied Science on Thursday announced the availability of a new detection kit for the novel influenza A/H1N1 virus. Roche currently is filing to get approval of the local health authorities worldwide for use of the kit in emergency situations.

“The design of the new detection kits benefited very much from information we got out of our manifold research cooperations,” stated Manfred Baier, head of Roche Applied Science. “We are glad of our contribution in supplying fast and reliable tools for the detection of Influenza A/H1N1 to the research community.”

Currently, there is no human vaccine on the market that protects against Influenza A H1N1 infection, Roche noted. Standard therapy for the disease includes treatment with antiviral drugs like Tamiflu or Relenza.