Cleared Special

K221460 - BioFire COVID-19 Test 2 (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

Class II Microbiology device cleared through the Special 510(k) pathway - typically does not require clinical trials.

K221460 · Biofire Defense, LLC · Microbiology device
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Optimized for regulatory review, auditing and printing
Jul 2022
Decision
67d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K221460 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the BioFire COVID-19 Test 2. Classified as Respiratory Specimen Nucleic Acid Sars-cov-2 Test (product code QQX), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by Biofire Defense, LLC (Salt Lake City, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on July 25, 2022 after a review of 67 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the Microbiology FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 866.3981 - the FDA microbiology device framework. As a Special 510(k), this submission covers a manufacturer modification to an existing cleared device rather than a new device introduction.

Device pattern: Iterative device modification. Low regulatory complexity profile. This Special 510(k) clearance confirms that the manufacturer's modifications remained within the established regulatory envelope of the original cleared device.

View all Biofire Defense, LLC devices

Submission Details

510(k) Number K221460 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received May 19, 2022
Decision Date July 25, 2022
Days to Decision 67 days
Submission Type Special
Review Panel Microbiology (MI)
Summary Summary PDF
Third-party Review No - reviewed directly by FDA
Combination Product No
PCCP Authorized No
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
35d faster than avg
Panel avg: 102d · This submission: 67d
Pathway characteristics
Modification to existing cleared device.

Device Classification

Product Code QQX Respiratory Specimen Nucleic Acid Sars-cov-2 Test
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 866.3981
Definition A Device To Detect And Identify Nucleic Acid Targets In Respiratory Specimens From Sars-cov-2 That Cause Covid-19 Is An In Vitro Diagnostic Device Intended For The Detection And Identification Of Sars-cov-2 Nucleic Acid Targets In Human Clinical Respiratory Specimens From Patients Suspected Of Covid-19 Based On Signs And Symptoms Of Respiratory Infections By Their Healthcare Providers. The Device Is Intended To Aid In The Diagnosis Of Covid-19 In Conjunction With Other Clinical, Epidemiologic, And Laboratory Data Or Other Risk Factors.
What this classification means

Class II devices require demonstration of substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device. This pathway does not require clinical trials - it relies on engineering equivalence and performance data. Most Microbiology devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Consultant

Biofire Defence, LLC
Cynthia Phillips

The regulatory consultant manages the 510(k) submission process on behalf of the applicant - coordinating technical documentation, predicate strategy and FDA communications. Identifying the consultant behind a submission is a key signal for competitive regulatory intelligence.

Regulatory Peers - QQX Respiratory Specimen Nucleic Acid Sars-cov-2 Test

All 10
Devices cleared under the same product code (QQX) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K221460.
Aptima SARS-CoV-2 Assay
K243396 · Hologic, Inc. · Feb 2025
cobas® SARS-CoV-2 Qualitative for use on the cobas® 5800/6800/8800 Systems
K240867 · Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. · Feb 2025
Xpert® Xpress CoV-2 plus (XPRS-COV2-10)
K242109 · Cepheid · Jan 2025
Alinity m SARS-CoV-2 AMP Kit (09N78-096)
K241580 · Abbott Molecular · Dec 2024
Applied Biosystems™ TaqPath™ COVID-19 Diagnostic PCR Kit
K233453 · Life Technologies Corporation · Jul 2024
Xpert® Xpress CoV-2 plus
K230440 · Cepheid · Oct 2023