On May 18, 2020, Quidel announced it had received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Lyra Direct SARS-CoV-2 Assay from the FDA to allow direct sample processing. Under the new EUA, the Lyra Direct SARS-CoV-2 Assay no longer requires an up-front sample extraction.

The Lyra Direct SARS-CoV-2 Assay uses a reformulated buffer that replaces the extraction step with a simple 10-minute heat step, saving approximately 50 minutes in processing time.