Opentrons partners with Zymo Research to deliver affordable, automated COVID-19 testing platform

Brooklyn, New York--(Business Wire )--Zymo Research Corp, a California-based life sciences reagent company, and Opentrons Labworks, Inc, a manufacturer of affordable and easy-to-use laboratory robots, have partnered to create a powerful engine for SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the need for high-throughput, rapid turnaround, and affordable testing platforms will become an important safety issue to facilitate routine testing in communities around the world. Automated RNA extraction pipelines created using the Opentrons OT-2 liquid handling robot, proven labware and magnetic modules, and Zymo Research's Fast DNA/RNA Viral Magnetic Bead Kit can be used by anyone looking to perform high-performance Sensitivity of laboratory-based SARS-CoV-2 tests.

"The combination of technologies from Opentrons and Zymo Research creates a new automated RNA extraction solution where demand cannot be met by traditional vendors," said Will Canine, co-founder and chief product officer of Opentrons. "We are proud to partner with Zymo Research collaborates to bring this affordable, easy-to-use system to market quickly.”

Additionally, any OT-2 Robot user can download open source scripts to automate the Quick-DNA/RNA Viral MagBead Kit to perform the protocol in their own laboratory. These are the same protocols used by CLIA laboratories to develop tests that operate in anticipation of an FDA EUA.

"Our country and the world are in a time of need. Zymo Research is doing everything we can to ensure products related to COVID-19 testing reach those labs and companies working on the front lines. We are proud to partner with companies like Opentrons , developed a simple solution to facilitate much-needed testing," said Dr. Marc Van Eden, Vice President of Business Development at Zymo Research.

To learn more about Opentrons COVID-19 testing systems, please email [email protected].

About Zymo Research

Zymo Research is a privately held company that has been providing the scientific community with state-of-the-art molecular biology tools since 1994. “The beauty of science is making things simple” is their motto and it is reflected in every one of their products. From epigenetics to DNA/RNA purification technologies. Historically recognized as a leader in the field of epigenetics, Zymo Research is pushing boundaries with novel solutions for high-quality, easy-to-use sample collection, microbial measurement and NGS technology. To learn more, visit www.zymoresearch.com.

About Opentrons

Opentrons enables automation in any laboratory, starting with affordable pipetting robots for biologists. With its easy-to-use hardware and open software platform, Opentrons automates manual laboratory work and supports collaborative research for life scientists. Opentrons has helped more than 1,500 laboratories in 45 countries save time, money and laboratory costs, including 47 of the world's top 50 academic universities including MIT, Oxford and Stanford, as well as GSK Gram, Merck, 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies, and Novartis. To learn more, visit opentrons.com.