Becton, Dickinson's COVID-19/Influenza Combo Molecular Assay Wins FDA Emergency Use Nod

The FDA has granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Becton Dickinson and Co's (NYSE: BDX) new molecular test for both SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A+B. The new test has also received a CE mark in Europe.
The new EUA includes updated information in the test's instructions for use in diagnosing variants of the SARS-COV-2 virus, including variants from the U.K. and South Africa. This ability to detect these new variants also applies to the standalone SARS-CoV-2 test for the BD MAX System.
The assay runs on an automated BD MAX System that can process 24 samples and return results in two to three hours. The test distinguishes between SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A+B, providing a positive or negative result for each virus using a single specimen.
The test is the latest addition to the company's COVID-19 diagnostics response. In October last year, BD announced the CE mark for the VIASURE SARS-CoV-2 PCR detection kit, which can run a single module that tests COVID-19 and Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus concurrently.
Price Action: BDX shares closed 0.2% higher at $253.39 on Thursday.