The Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus possesses multiple mutations in the spike protein. However, this variant also has mutations in the nucleocapsid protein (N).
This is critically important as current antigen tests detect the nucleocapsid by immunoassay. The antibodies employed in these tests must recognise the mutated N antigen otherwise a false-negative test will result.
ViroStat has validated its four best monoclonal antibody pairs (products #3865-#3868) for reactivity with the nucleocapsid of the Omicron variant. These high-affinity antibody pairs are used successfully in lateral flow and ELISA applications for antigen detection of the other variants as well.
Download the updated data sheet for these antibodies from the ViroStat website.