
TOKYO -- Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche will soon apply for approval in Japan of its reagent that detects COVID-19 and the seasonal influenza virus at the same time, Nikkei has learned.
The reagent can detect the virus with a high degree of accuracy if combined with Roche's testing equipment owned by medical institutions and testing companies. That also reduces the burden on patients and medical workers who are bracing for the double threat of COVID-19 and the winter flu.