Watchmaker Genomics has announced the launch of its Stellar RT-qPCR and qPCR Kits, expanding its molecular diagnostics (MDx) tools portfolio and giving assay developers greater flexibility across amplification technologies.
The new kits complement the company’s existing Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) enzyme suite, enabling laboratories to design workflows across both PCR and isothermal modalities. This dual capability supports a growing need for rapid, robust testing in point-of-care and field-deployable environments.
Expanding Flexibility for Modern Molecular Diagnostics Labs
For lab managers overseeing increasingly diverse testing demands, flexibility in amplification strategies is becoming essential. Watchmaker’s expanded portfolio allows teams to select the most appropriate method based on workflow constraints, instrumentation, and turnaround time requirements.
Powered by StellarTaq™ DNA Polymerase and StellarScript® HT+ Reverse Transcriptase, the Stellar Kits are designed to deliver:
- High inhibitor tolerance for complex or minimally processed samples
- Rapid cycling for fast turnaround times
- Strong sensitivity for reliable detection
- Compatibility with fast-cycling PCR platforms
These features enable amplification directly from challenging sample matrices while maintaining consistent performance—an important consideration for labs balancing speed with data integrity.
Engineered for Speed, Sensitivity, and Real-World Performance
The Stellar Kits are built on Watchmaker’s protein engineering platform, which integrates computational design, directed evolution, and machine learning. This approach allows the company to develop enzymes that maintain performance even under less-than-ideal sample conditions.
According to Eric van der Walt, Chief Innovation Officer of Watchmaker Genomics, “Whether supporting sophisticated NGS workflows or decentralized molecular diagnostic assays, the underlying need is the same - better reagents that drive better performance.”
He added, “Our protein engineering platform has helped establish Watchmaker as a trusted partner in next-generation sequencing, and we are excited to bring that same rigor and innovation to MDx assay developers and other life science tools providers who need speed, sensitivity, and robustness in real-world testing environments.”
In parallel, the company’s RPA enzyme suite provides an isothermal alternative for labs seeking simplified workflows and minimal instrumentation. Operating at a constant low temperature, RPA supports rapid detection in decentralized or resource-limited settings.
Together, these technologies give lab managers the ability to align testing strategies with operational needs—whether prioritizing speed, portability, or analytical performance.
New Data to Be Presented at ESCMID 2026
Watchmaker Genomics will showcase performance data for its amplification technologies, including the Stellar RT-qPCR and qPCR Kits, at ESCMID 2026 in Munich, Germany (April 18–21, 2026).
Attendees can visit the company at Booth G37 and attend a featured presentation titled “Breaking Barriers: A new qPCR chemistry for fast, extraction-free POC testing,” scheduled for Sunday, April 19, from 10:30–10:50 AM in the Innovation and Pipeline Theatre.
For laboratory leaders evaluating new diagnostic technologies, the expanded portfolio represents an opportunity to streamline workflows while maintaining high standards of sensitivity and reliability.
