On Mar. 26, 2021, the FDA issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) to the Twist Bioscience for their SARS-CoV-2 NGS Assay. The SARS-CoV-2 NGS Assay was a next-generation sequencing (NGS) based test for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from respiratory samples, such as nose or throat swabs and washes, from people who are suspected of having COVID-19.

This was the second whole genome sequencing diagnostic test for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA authorized by the FDA.