cobas® eplex system
Fast, reliable syndromic testing for informed therapeutic decisions
The cobas® eplex system simplifies and accelerates multiplex molecular diagnostics, from order entry to result reporting. It features true sample-to-answer workflow, bi-directional laboratory information system (LIS) integration, random and continuous access, and a scalable, modular design, to efficiently adapt to peak demand. With less than 1 minute hands-on time and remote service capabilities, the system reduces downtime while streamlining lab operations. By detecting multiple pathogens from a single patient sample in one rapid test, the cobas® eplex system minimizes the need for multiple tests, saving both time and resources.
Enhanced efficiency with our comprehensive panels
With high sensitivity and specificity, all of our panels support infection control and enable rapid and effective treatment decisions, supporting clinicians in improving patient outcomes.1-4
The cobas® eplex blood culture identification panels (BCID) aid in detecting bacterial and fungal organisms and antibiotic resistance genes directly from positive blood cultures in about 1.5 hours.2-4 They offer the broadest coverage of organisms and resistance markers that cause bloodstream infections (BSIs), including anaerobes, multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), and emerging fungal pathogens.2-6 Their broad coverage means that about 95% of currently identified bloodstream infections can be detected early.*2-4 By enabling fast, targeted therapy, the BCID panels support sepsis management, infection control, and antimicrobial stewardship.
Comprehensive coverage of respiratory pathogens beyond influenza, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2, is critical in patients at higher risk for complications or more severe infections. The cobas® eplex respiratory pathogen panel 2 (RP2)† detects the most common viruses and bacteria causing upper respiratory illness from a single sample in about 1.5 hours.1 This supports effective infection control and respiratory illness management, particularly during high-demand seasons.
To continue addressing the growing demands of diagnostic laboratories, additional panels are in development to expand testing capabilities.**
A sample-to-answer solution
A modular and scalable system
cobas® eplex system NP
- 3 test bays
- Throughput (24 hours): 36 patient samples per day
- Physical dimensions (H x D x W): 23.5" x 19.0" x 21.3",
59cm x 48cm x 54cm
cobas® eplex system 1 tower
- 6 test bays
- Throughput (24 hours): 72 patient samples per day
- Physical dimensions (H x D x W): 23.5" x 19.0" x 21.3",
59cm x 48cm x 54cm
cobas® eplex system 2 tower
- 12 test bays
- Throughput (24 hours): 144 patient samples per day
- Physical dimensions (H x D x W): 23.5" x 19.0" x 28.5",
59cm x 48cm x 72cm
cobas® eplex system 3 tower
- 18 test bays
- Throughput (24 hours): 216 patient samples per day
- Physical dimensions (H x D x W): 23.5" x 19.0" x 35.8",
59cm x 48cm x 91cm
cobas® eplex system 4 tower
- 24 test bays
- Throughput (24 hours): 288 patient samples per day
- Physical dimensions (H x D x W): 23.5" x 19.0" x 43.0",
59cm x 48cm x 109cm
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Overview
Technical specifications
View full tableTechnical specifications
| Parameter | Value |
| Weight 1-tower system | 49kg (108 lbs) |
| Dimensions 1-tower system | 59 cm x 48 cm x 54 cm (24.0” x 19.0” x 21.0”) |
| LIS compatibility | ASTM LIS 1-A & LIS 2-A2 (Bi-directional); HL7 v2.3 (Bi-directional); Flat file (.csv, .xml and .txt) |
| Supported barcodes | Aztec, Codabar, Code 39, Code 93, Code 128, Data Matrix, EAN, Interleaved 2 of 5, JAN, MaxiCode, UPC |
| Power requirements | 100-240 Vac, 50/60 Hz |
| Environmental conditions | Ambient temperature: 15 – 30°C; relative humidity: 15 – 85% (non-condensing) |
| Noise generation | ≤ 60dBA |
Technical documents
Related products
*Based on ePlex Panel inclusivity compared to 2 representative US clinical data sets (not intended as sensitivity/performance claims): i) The GenMark prospective clinical study database (n=1,978); ii) 12 months of BCID clinical isolate data from 5 geographically diverse US hospitals (n=15,793).
**An updated version of the respiratory pathogen panel and a meningitis & encephalitis panel are currently in development and are not available for sale in the United States.
†This test has not been FDA cleared or approved. This test has been authorized by FDA under an Emergency use Authorization (EUA) for use by authorized laboratories. This test has been authorized only for the simultaneous qualitative detection and differentiation of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 and multiple respiratory viral and bacterial organisms and this test is only authorized for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of emergency use of in vitro diagnostics for detection and/or diagnosis of COVID-19 under Section 564(b)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner.
References:
GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. cobas® eplex respiratory pathogen panel 2 Method Sheet (v2.0). 2025.
GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. cobas® eplex blood culture identification gram-positive (BCID-GP) panel Method Sheet (v1.0). 2024.
GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. cobas® eplex blood culture identification gram-negative (BCID-GN) panel Method Sheet (v1.0). 2024.
GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. cobas® eplex blood culture identification fungal panel (BCID-FP) Package insert. (vC). 2024.
bioMerieux. BioFire Blood Culture Identification 2 (BCID2) Panel package insert. FIT-PRT-0841-02 June 2020.
Nanosphere Verigene Gram-Positive Blood Culture Nucleic Acid Test (BC-GP) package insert. 27- 00030-01, Rev. B; October 2012.
GenMark Diagnostics, Inc. cobas® eplex® System Instrument Software 3.0 User Assistance (v1.0) 2024.
bioMerieux. BIOFIRE FilmArray Torch Operators Manual, HTFA-PRT-0001-09, 2023.
Qiagen, QIAstat-Dx Analyzer 1.0 User Manual, HB-2942-001, 2021.
Makary MA and Michael D. Medical error—the third leading cause of death in the US. BMJ. 2016;353:i2139.
The National Academics of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. [Internet; cited 2025 Nov 3]. Available from: https://www.nap.edu/read/9728/chapter/4#39.