Here are some new developments regarding how the IVD industry has responded to the swine flu outbreak: CombiMatrix Corp. announced that it has updated its Influenza-Detection Microarray to include sequence information of the latest strain of swine flu. The previous version of the Influenza-Detection Microarray already detected many strains of swine flu as well as the pathogenic bird flu. Within one day of receiving sequence information of the new strain, CombiMatrix has updated the array to definitively identify this strain. CombiMatrix's Influenza-Detection System provides high-resolution genotype information on any given flu strain, as well as information on novel strains of flu produced by rapid mutation or recombination between multiple strains. CombiMatrix's Influenza Microarray can detect and distinguish each of these strains, as well as all other circulating subtypes and strains of Influenza A. Most importantly, as demonstrated by today's news, the array can be updated almost instantaneously. Several domestic and international government agencies have purchased CombiMatrix's system and can use the Influenza Microarray. CombiMatrix is already preparing arrays to be sent to such agencies for use. Qiagen (Venlo, The Netherlands) announced that two of its tests can be used to screen for the swine flu virus. Data analysis of the viral gene sequences showed that both products already marketed, the artus Influenza LC RT PCR Kit and the Resplex II 2.0 Kit, can be used to detect whether or not Influenza A virus sequences are present in a sample, including the H1N1 subtype. If the sample proves positive, treatment with widely available medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza can be prescribed, according to the recommendations given by the corresponding drug manufacturers.