Enzo Biochem reports that it has expanded reagent and supply manufacturing as well as doubled its capacity for molecular lab testing services at its facilities in Farmingdale, NY to meet the increasing demand for its PCR-based COVID-19 molecular and serological testing.

Demand for testing services has expanded significantly throughout the multi-state New York metropolitan region, including support for testing programs at academic institutions, physician offices, urgent care facilities, and nursing homes. In June 2020, Enzo Biochem launched a dedicated School and Institution Testing (SIT) Program to support plans to resume on-campus learning at academic organizations in the New York area and to help employees safely return to work.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the stresses on the supply chain caused because most molecular testing technologies are “closed” systems, according to Barry Weiner, president of Enzo Biochem. As a result, the market has been unable to respond to the rapid acceleration of molecular testing demand, he says, adding that “Enzo’s open system approach offers a viable alternative to closed systems, enabling flexible solutions for all industry stakeholders.”

Enzo is working on further steps to improve efficiencies within molecular diagnostic testing as well as offering expanded products and services within immunology, cytology, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry, he continues.

“Molecular testing is one of the fastest growing segments in the diagnostic testing sector, and the infectious disease testing market is growing exponentially in large part because of needs related to COVID-19, which we anticipate will continue even after a vaccine is introduced,” says Weiner.

“Enzo’s proprietary GenFlex™ platform, can process molecular tests, including women’s health panels, sexually transmitted disease panels, and upper respiratory panels.

“This program’s expansion will proceed in phases and will include additions to the Enzo team and new equipment designed to advance Enzo’s further development as a fully integrated clinical diagnostics company.”

The initial completed phase has expanded capacity so that lab operations now enable the company to process approximately one million molecular tests per annum, explains Weiner. The full master plan will include expansion to three buildings on the Enzo Biochem campus in Farmingdale, more than doubling its physical footprint.

The new space is designed to enhance capabilities in product development and manufacturing capacity to provide a broader range of services, with the initial focus on ramping up COVID-19 related production in the company’s Enzo Life Sciences division.

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