Thermo Fisher's Automated PCR Platform Sets New Benchmark For High-Throughput COVID-19 Diagnostics

The global demand for rapid COVID-19 testing has pushed laboratory diagnostic technology to new heights. Thermo Fisher Scientific has responded with a breakthrough: a modular, highly automated PCR testing platform capable of processing 6,000 samples daily—a capacity that can help labs double or triple their throughput without proportional increases in staffing and physical space.

The Amplitude Solution: Redefining Testing Efficiency

At the core of this innovation is the Amplitude Solution, an integrated diagnostic system built on Thermo Fisher’s automated PCR infrastructure. The platform combines Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 7 Flex Real-time PCR instruments with advanced liquid handling equipment from Tecan Group, a leader in laboratory automation. This marriage of precision diagnostics and automated workflow management enables laboratories to streamline their testing operations significantly.

The system operates through a straightforward four-step process requiring minimal human intervention. Staff can focus on higher-level tasks while the automated PCR components handle repetitive, time-consuming procedures. This approach reduces both operational burden and potential for human error in sample processing.

Technical Architecture and COVID-19 Detection Capability

The Amplitude Solution leverages Thermo Fisher’s Applied Biosystems TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit, a multiplex assay designed for qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids. The test incorporates necessary positive and negative controls to ensure diagnostic accuracy and reliability across diverse laboratory environments.

The inclusion of Tecan’s Fluent Laboratory Workstation—the flagship platform within Tecan’s automated liquid-handling portfolio—represents a key technological component. These instruments, supplied through Tecan’s specialized partnering channel, manage the precise fluid transfers required for large-scale sample processing.

Regulatory Pathway and Market Availability

Thermo Fisher has submitted the Amplitude Solution to the U.S. FDA for Emergency Use Authorization, with expectations of securing approvals in international markets as well. Beyond regulatory clearance, the company is structuring customer engagement through supply agreements that guarantee consistent availability of reagents and consumables—addressing a critical pain point for laboratories scaling up operations.

The system’s design reflects a fundamental shift in how high-volume COVID-19 diagnostics can be approached: through modular design, automation, and supply chain integration rather than simply adding more standalone instruments.