Thermo Fisher Scientific receives EU approval for Ion PGM Dx System

Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced that its new Ion PGM Dx System has been approved in Europe for in vitro diagnostic applications.

The Ion PGM Dx System was developed using Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing technology and has been validated using a number of challenging germline variants with library kits based on AmpliSeq technology principles.

It includes all of the instruments, GMP reagents and software controls necessary to establish high-performing next-generation clinical sequencing workflows, as well as offering rapid turnaround times.

The company is currently accepting orders for the system in Europe and plans to begin making deliveries this calendar year.

Mark Stevenson, president of life sciences solutions at Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: "Providing accurate and reliable genetic variant analysis with as little as 10ng of sample DNA … we anticipate the Ion PGM Dx will bring many benefits to the European clinical and diagnostic communities."

This comes after the firm announced last month that it will be developing a universal next-generation sequencing oncology test for solid tumours in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer.