ABL Diagnostics expands HIV genotyping portfolio with whole-genome update

By AI, Created 4:54 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – ABL Diagnostics unveiled new advances in its DeepChek Whole Genome HIV solution and said its HIV genotyping portfolio now includes 10 dedicated assays and software tools. A new Journal of Clinical Virology study and broader platform verification aim to strengthen the company’s position in HIV resistance testing as long-acting therapies and capsid inhibitors reshape the market.

Why it matters: - ABL Diagnostics is trying to position DeepChek as a broad HIV resistance-testing platform for clinical labs, researchers, public health teams and drug developers. - The update targets a shifting HIV treatment landscape, where capsid inhibitors and other long-acting therapies require broader genomic surveillance. - The company says the expanded workflow can support both current resistance monitoring and future therapeutic development.

What happened: - ABL Diagnostics announced new advances in its DeepChek Whole Genome HIV solution on May 20, 2026, from Woippy, France. - The company said its HIV genotyping portfolio now includes 10 dedicated assays and software solutions. - The DeepChek Whole Genome HIV solution adds a dedicated amplicon covering the HIV GAG region. - ABL Diagnostics said the workflow supports HIV resistance testing and genomic characterization across a wide range of use cases.

The details: - The company said the solution is designed for viral RNA and proviral DNA testing, including whole blood samples. - ABL Diagnostics said the system demonstrates analytical sensitivity down to 800 copies/mL. - The workflow is intended to support resistance monitoring, clinical research and longitudinal patient follow-up. - DeepChek software is paired with the assay to monitor resistance mutations across major HIV genomic regions and therapeutic classes. - ABL Diagnostics said its DeepChek assays and software are verified on Illumina, MGI, Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Thermofisher Ion Torrent and PacBio platforms. - The company said that verification covers both short-read and long-read sequencing strategies. - A new study in the Journal of Clinical Virology evaluated HIV-1 gag genotypic resistance testing using short-read and long-read next-generation sequencing technologies. - The publication is titled “HIV-1 gag genotypic resistance testing using short-read and long-read next-generation sequencing technologies.” - The study found whole-genome HIV sequencing can improve coverage and help detect resistance mutations across the viral genome. - The study also highlighted emerging mutational patterns linked to capsid inhibitors and long-acting antiretrovirals. - DeepChek has been verified on Illumina MiSeq i100 and MiSeqDx platforms, additional MGI platforms, Oxford Nanopore Technologies platforms, PacBio platforms and Thermofisher Ion Torrent platforms through linked company materials. - ABL Diagnostics said the DeepChek portfolio and CE-IVD Whole Genome HIV solution are meant to serve virology laboratories, clinical researchers and pharmaceutical partners.

Between the lines: - The platform claims are aimed at showing interoperability, a key purchase criterion for labs that run mixed sequencing environments. - The broad coverage matters because HIV resistance testing is moving beyond narrow targets toward whole-genome surveillance. - The quoted executives framed the publication and product update as proof that one NGS workflow can serve both current and future HIV therapy monitoring needs. - Dr. Sofiane Mohamed, head of R&D, said the study confirms the value of whole-genome sequencing for future HIV resistance monitoring. - Dimitri Gonzalez, head of diagnostics, said ABL Diagnostics’ HIV pipeline is the most comprehensive available today in HIV genotyping.

What’s next: - ABL Diagnostics said the expanded portfolio is positioned to support future HIV therapeutic innovation, including development and post-market surveillance. - The company urged customers to contact its support team for instructions for use and registration status in their territories. - ABL Diagnostics also noted that the products are for research use only where applicable and not for diagnostic procedures.

The bottom line: - ABL Diagnostics is betting that broader HIV genome coverage, multi-platform sequencing support and new publication data will help it compete as HIV resistance testing shifts toward whole-genome NGS.