BD Receives Health Canada Authorization for COVID-19, Influenza A/B, RSV Combination Test

MISSISSAUGA, ON November 23, 2022 – BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, announced that it had received Authorization under the Interim Order from Health Canada for a new molecular diagnostic combination test for SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) to help combat a potential “tripledemic” in the upcoming respiratory virus season.

The test, for use on the BD MAX™ Molecular Diagnostic System, uses a single nasal swab or a single nasopharyngeal swab sample to identify and distinguish if a patient has COVID-19, Influenza A and B, RSV or some combination of the three. The test helps eliminate the need for multiple tests or doctor visits and can help clinicians implement the right treatment plan quickly. The co-testing approach also helps to increase testing capacity during the busy flu/RSV season and speed time to diagnosis.

“COVID-19, influenza and RSV show similar symptoms, so it takes additional work for healthcare practitioners to conduct separate tests to diagnose and treat patients,” said Ivy Parks, President of BD-Canada. “This single diagnostic test allows to screen for multiple pathogens at once and can help identify virus or viruses and accelerate the treatment journey for patients”.

The BD MAX™ System is already in use at over 50 hospitals and laboratories across Canada. Each unit can analyze hundreds of samples over a 24-hour period. The Respiratory Viral Panel for BD MAX™ System is an RT- PCR assay that detects and differentiates the mRNA of SARS-CoV-2, flu A, flu B and RSV in as little as two hours, with the simplified and automated workflow of the BD MAX™ System.

The BD Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP) assay for BD MAX™ System was CE marked under the IVD directive 98/79/EC in May. RVP is an important addition to the extensive number of assays available on the BD MAX™ system across respiratory infections, sexually transmitted infections, gastrointestinal infections, women’s health and health care associated infections.

About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its 75,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com or connect with us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bd1/ and Twitter @BDandCo.