510(k) Report

510(k) · Cleared

Recalled · Class II · 2026

BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel); BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel plus (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus)

K243222510(k) SpecialCleared Nov 6, 202430-day reviewClass II21 CFR 866.4001Recalls 3

Data to Oct 25, 2026 (FDA decisions) Oct 12, 2026 (recalls) Sep 30, 2026 (MAUDE) refreshed weekly, last Nov 3, 2026

Biofire Diagnostics, LLC (Biomerieux) · QDS Mers-Cov And Common Respiratory Pathogens Semi-Quantitative And Quantitative Multiplex Nucleic Acid Detection System

Cleared on Nov 6, 2024 as substantially equivalent to K212727 (Biofire Diagnostics, LLC, 2021) and 1 other predicate after a 30-day review. Its family tree reaches back 3 generations to 2018. It has been recalled 3 times.

Decided
Nov 6, 2024
Review
30 days
Class
Class II
Product code
QDS
Recalls
3
Predicates
2

Its longest line of descent runs back 3 generations to DEN170047 (2018). 6 ancestors in all, the oldest DEN170017 (2017). No later device cites it as a predicate yet.

Other ancestors, by year cleared 2022: 1 other ancestor2018: 1 other ancestor2017: 1 other ancestorDEN170047 · Curetis Unyvero LRT Application · Curetis GmbH · 2018K180966 · FilmArray Pneumonia Panel · Biofire Diagnostics, LLC · 2018 · recalledK212727 · FilmArray Pneumonia Panel · Biofire Diagnostics, LLC · 2021 · recalled201620182020202220242026
Other ancestors, by generation 1 generation back: 1 other ancestor2 generations back: 1 other ancestor3 generations back: 1 other ancestor K212727 · FilmArray Pneumonia Panel · Biofire Diagnostics, LLC · 2021 · recalledK180966 · FilmArray Pneumonia Panel · Biofire Diagnostics, LLC · 2018 · recalledDEN170047 · Curetis Unyvero LRT Application · Curetis GmbH · 20180
  1. Root · 3 generations backDEN170047 Curetis Unyvero LRT ApplicationCuretis GmbH · 2018
  2. 2 generations backK180966 FilmArray Pneumonia PanelBiofire Diagnostics, LLC · 2018 · Recalled
  3. 1 generation backK212727 FilmArray Pneumonia PanelBiofire Diagnostics, LLC · 2021 · Recalled
  4. This deviceK243222 BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel)…Biofire Diagnostics, LLC (Biomerieux) · 2024
View FIG. 1 as a table

Line of descent and top descendants

GenerationNumberDeviceApplicantDecidedRecalls
−3DEN170047Curetis Unyvero LRT ApplicationCuretis GmbH2018—
−2K180966FilmArray Pneumonia PanelBiofire Diagnostics, LLC20184
−1K212727FilmArray Pneumonia PanelBiofire Diagnostics, LLC20211
0 (this device)K243222BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel); BIOFIRE®…Biofire Diagnostics, LLC (Biomerieux)2024—

Other ancestors by year cleared

Year clearedDevicesWith a Class I recall
201710
201810
202210
FIG. 1 — Lineage of K243222, 2018–2024Source: FDA 510(k) summaries, read by 510(k) Report · How lineage is built

Get the monthly Device Review Tracker

Notable FDA decisions, review times and new Class I recalls. See an issue.

Sources: FDA 510(k) database (decision fields), the FDA summary (predicates and indications), FDA recall and enforcement reports, and MAUDE; processed by 510(k) Report. Verify on FDA.gov · Methodology and accuracy.

Planning a device in QDS? A 510(k) Report weighs predicate choices, recall history and review times for a new device like this one.

Top candidate predicates for a new QDS device

  1. #1 K222601 FilmArray Pneumonia Panel plusscore 5.5 · 2 generations · no Class I recall
Get a 510(k) Report

What was it cleared against? (2)

Devices the submitter claimed this one is substantially equivalent to (*), and reference devices cited for a specific test or feature (†), as written in the FDA summary.

TypeNumberDeviceApplicantDecidedRecalls
*K212727FilmArray Pneumonia Panel
Summary page 9
…Introduction: The content of this Special 510(k) submission is limited to obtaining FDA clearance for the BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel) (K212727) and the BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel plus (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus) (K222601) with software updates to mitigate the…
Biofire Diagnostics, LLC20211
*K222601FilmArray Pneumonia Panel plus
Summary page 9
…learance for the BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel) (K212727) and the BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel plus (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus) (K222601) with software updates to mitigate the risk of false positive Coronavirus and CTX-M results. According to the requirements of 21…
Biofire Diagnostics, LLC20221

What descends from it?

No later submission names this one as a predicate yet.

Has anything in its family been recalled? (0 Class I)

Recalls of this device

DateClassRecallRoot causeReason
Aug 12, 2026Class IIZ-0149-2027Under Investigation by firmDue to potential contaiminated of spefic lots of pneumonia and joint infection panels that could result in false positive results
Aug 12, 2026Class IIZ-0148-2027Under Investigation by firmDue to potential contaiminated of spefic lots of pneumonia and joint infection panels that could result in false positive results
Feb 27, 2025Class IIZ-1518-2025Nonconforming Material/ComponentIncreased risk of control failures and false negative test results with multiplexed nucleic acid test.

No ancestor or descendant has a Class I recall.

What does this lineage say?

  • The line of descent spans 6 years and passes through 3 companies; a new generation was cleared every 2.9 years on median.
  • 4 of the 6 ancestors have a recall of any class.

How does its category compare?

All QDS devices

QDS Mers-Cov And Common Respiratory Pathogens Semi-Quantitative And Quantitative Multiplex Nucleic Acid Detection System: FDA decisions, review times, recalls and adverse event reports over 20 years. 2024, this device’s year, is highlighted.

FDA decisions per year · QDS

1in 2024

2018: 12022: 12024: 1
2007high 1 (2018) · low 0 (2007)2026

2026 to Oct 25, outlined.

Median 510(k) review, days · QDS

Too few QDS 510(k)s in any year since 2007 to give a median.

Recalls per year · QDS

1in 2023

2023: 12026 (partial year): 1
2007high 1 (2023) · low 0 (2007)2026

Class I (0 since 2007) Class II/III not classified

Adverse event reports per year · QDS

3in 2025

2019: 12022: 12024: 22025: 3
2007high 3 (2025) · low 0 (2007)2025

MAUDE reports naming product code QDS, not matched to any one device; reports are not rates.

View these four charts as a table
YearDecisionsMedian 510(k) review, daysRecalls (Class I)MAUDE reports
20070—00
20080—00
20090—00
20100—00
20110—00
20120—00
20130—00
20140—00
20150—00
20160—00
20170—00
20181—00
20190—01
20200—00
20210—00
20221—01
20230—10
20241—02
20250—03
20260—1—

What is it indicated for?

BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Pneumonia Panel: The BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Pneumonia Panel (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel) is a multiplexed nucleic acid test intended for use with BIOFIRE FILMARRAY 2.0 (BIOFIRE 2.0) or BIOFIRE FILMARRAY TORCH (BIOFIRE TORCH) systems for the simultaneous detection and identification of multiple respiratory viral and bacterial nucleic acids, as well as select antimicrobial resistance genes, in sputum-like specimens (induced or expectorated…

Read the full statement (1,723 words)

BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Pneumonia Panel:

The BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Pneumonia Panel (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel) is a multiplexed nucleic acid test intended for use with BIOFIRE FILMARRAY 2.0 (BIOFIRE 2.0) or BIOFIRE FILMARRAY TORCH (BIOFIRE TORCH) systems for the simultaneous detection and identification of multiple respiratory viral and bacterial nucleic acids, as well as select antimicrobial resistance genes, in sputum-like specimens (induced or expectorated sputum, or endotracheal aspirates) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-like specimens (BAL or mini-BAL) obtained from individuals suspected of lower respiratory tract infection.

The following bacteria are reported semi-quantitatively with bins representing approximately 10^4, 10^5, 10^6, or ≥10^7 genomic copies of bacterial nucleic acid per milliliter (copies/mL) of specimen, to aid in estimating relative abundance of nucleic acid from these common bacteria within a specimen:

Bacteria reported with bins of 10^4, 10^5, 10^6, or ≥10^7 copies/mL

• Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex

• Klebsiella oxytoca

• Serratia marcescens

• Enterobacter cloacae complex

• Klebsiella pneumoniae group

• Staphylococcus aureus

• Escherichia coli

• Moraxella catarrhalis

• Streptococcus agalactiae

• Haemophilus influenzae

• Proteus spp.

• Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Klebsiella aerogenes

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Streptococcus pyogenes

The following atypical bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance genes are reported qualitatively:

Atypical Bacteria

• Chlamydia pneumoniae

• Legionella pneumophila

• Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Viruses

• Adenovirus

• Human rhinovirus/enterovirus

• Parainfluenza virus

• Coronavirus

• Influenza A virus

• Respiratory syncytial virus

• Human metapneumovirus

• Influenza B virus

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes

• CTX-M

• IMP

• KPC

• NDM

• OXA-48-like

• VIM

• mecA/C and MREJ (MRSA)

The detection and identification of specific viral and bacterial nucleic acids, as well as the estimation of relative abundance of nucleic acid from common bacterial analytes, within specimens collected from individuals exhibiting signs and/or symptoms of a respiratory infection, aids in the diagnosis of lower respiratory infection if used in conjunction with other clinical and epidemiological information. The results of this test should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis, treatment, or other patient management decisions.

Negative results in the setting of a respiratory illness may be due to infection with pathogens that are not detected by this test, pathogens below the limit of detection, or in the case of bacterial analytes, present at levels below the lowest reported 10^4 copies/mL bin. Detection of analytes does not rule out co-infection with other organisms; the agent(s) detected by the BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel may not be the definite cause of disease. Additional laboratory testing (e.g. bacterial and viral culture, immunofluorescence, and radiography) may be necessary when evaluating a patient with possible lower respiratory tract infection.

Detection of bacterial nucleic acid may be indicative of colonizing or normal respiratory flora and may not indicate the causative agent of pneumonia. Semi-quantitative Bin (copies/mL) results generated by the BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel are not equivalent to CFU/mL and do not consistently correlate with the quantity of bacterial analytes compared to CFU/mL. For specimens with multiple bacteria detected, the relative abundance of nucleic acids (copies/mL) may not correlate with the relative abundance of bacteria as determined by culture (CFU/mL). Clinical correlation is advised to determine significance of semi-quantitative Bin (copies/mL) for clinical management.

The antimicrobial resistance gene detected may or may not be associated with the agent(s) responsible for disease. Negative results for these antimicrobial resistance gene assays do not indicate susceptibility to corresponding classes of antimicrobials, as multiple mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance exist.

Antimicrobial resistance can occur via multiple mechanisms. A “Not Detected” result for a genetic marker of antimicrobial resistance does not indicate susceptibility to associated antimicrobial drugs or drug classes. A “Detected” result for a genetic marker of antimicrobial resistance cannot be definitively linked to the microorganism(s) detected. Culture is required to obtain isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel results should be used in conjunction with culture results for determination of bacterial susceptibility or resistance.

Due to the genetic similarity between human rhinovirus and enterovirus, the test cannot reliably differentiate them. A positive Rhinovirus/Enterovirus result should be followed up using an alternate method (e.g., cell culture or sequence analysis) if differentiation is required.

Culture is required to identify pathogens not detected by the BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel, to further speciate analytes in genus, complex, or group results if desired, to identify bacterial pathogens present below the 10^4 copies/mL bin if desired, and for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Pneumonia Panel plus:

The BIOFIRE FILMARRAY Pneumonia Panel plus (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus) is a multiplexed nucleic acid test intended for use with BIOFIRE FILMARRAY 2.0 (BIOFIRE 2.0) or BIOFIRE FILMARRAY TORCH (BIOFIRE TORCH) systems for the simultaneous detection and identification of nucleic acids from Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and multiple respiratory viral and bacterial nucleic acids, as well as select antimicrobial resistance genes, in sputum-like specimens (induced or expectorated sputum, or endotracheal aspirates) or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-like specimens (BAL or mini-BAL) obtained from individuals meeting MERS-CoV clinical and/or epidemiological criteria.

Testing with BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus should not be performed unless the patient meets clinical and/or epidemiologic criteria for testing suspected MERS-CoV specimens. This includes: clinical signs and symptoms associated with MERS-CoV infection, contact with a probable or confirmed MERS-CoV case, history of travel to geographic locations where MERS-CoV cases were detected, or other epidemiological links for which MERS-CoV testing may be indicated.

The following bacteria are reported semi-quantitatively with bins representing approximately 10^4, 10^5, 10^6, or ≥10^7 genomic copies of bacterial nucleic acid per milliliter (copies/mL) of specimen, to aid in estimating relative abundance of nucleic acid from these common bacteria within a specimen:

Bacteria reported with bins of 10^4, 10^5, 10^6, or ≥10^7 copies/mL

• Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex

• Enterobacter cloacae complex

• Escherichia coli

• Haemophilus influenzae

• Klebsiella aerogenes

• Klebsiella oxytoca

• Klebsiella pneumoniae group

• Moraxella catarrhalis

• Proteus spp.

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Serratia marcescens

• Staphylococcus aureus

• Streptococcus agalactiae

• Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Streptococcus pyogenes

The following atypical bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance genes are reported qualitatively:

Atypical Bacteria

• Chlamydia pneumoniae

• Legionella pneumophila

• Mycoplasma pneumoniae

Viruses

• Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

• Adenovirus

• Coronavirus

• Human metapneumovirus

• Human rhinovirus/enterovirus

• Influenza A virus

• Influenza B virus

• Parainfluenza virus

• Respiratory syncytial virus

Antimicrobial Resistance Genes

• CTX-M

• IMP

• KPC

• NDM

• OXA-48-like

• VIM

• mecA/C and MREJ (MRSA)

The detection and identification of specific viral and bacterial nucleic acids from MERS-CoV and other respiratory pathogens, as well as the estimation of relative abundance of nucleic acid from common bacterial analytes, within specimens collected from individuals meeting MERS-CoV clinical and/or epidemiological criteria aids in the differential diagnosis of MERS-CoV infection, if used in conjunction with other clinical and epidemiological information in accordance with the guidelines provided by the appropriate public health authorities.

BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus MERS-CoV positive results are for the presumptive identification of MERS-CoV. The definitive identification of MERS-CoV requires additional testing and confirmation procedures in consultation with the appropriate public health authorities (e.g., local or state public health departments, etc.) for whom reporting is necessary. The diagnosis of MERS-CoV infection must be made based on history, signs, symptoms, exposure likelihood, and other laboratory evidence in addition to the identification of MERS-CoV.

BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus MERS-CoV negative results, even in the context of a BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus positive result for one or more of the common respiratory pathogens, do not preclude MERS-CoV infection and should not be used as the sole basis for patient management decisions. The levels of MERS-CoV that would be present in sputum-like or BAL-like specimens from individuals with early infection and from asymptomatic MERS-CoV carriers are not well understood. A negative BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus MERS-CoV result in an asymptomatic individual does not rule out the possibility of future illness and does not demonstrate that the individual is not infectious.

Viral culture should not be attempted on specimens with positive BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus results for MERS-CoV unless a BSL 3 facility is available to receive and culture specimens.

Negative results in the setting of a respiratory illness may be due to infection with pathogens that are not detected by this test, pathogens below the limit of detection, or in the case of bacterial analytes, present at levels below the lowest reported 10^4 copies/mL bin. Detection of analytes does not rule out co-infection with other organisms; the agent(s) detected by the BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus may not be the definite cause of disease. Additional laboratory testing (e.g. bacterial and viral culture, immunofluorescence, and radiography) may be necessary when evaluating a patient with possible lower respiratory tract infection.

Detection of bacterial nucleic acid may be indicative of colonizing or normal respiratory flora and may not indicate the causative agent of pneumonia. Semi-quantitative Bin (copies/mL) results generated by the BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus are not equivalent to CFU/mL and do not consistently correlate with the quantity of bacterial analytes compared to CFU/mL. For specimens with multiple bacteria detected, the relative abundance of nucleic acids (copies/mL) may not correlate with the relative abundance of bacteria as determined by culture (CFU/mL). Clinical correlation is advised to determine significance of semi-quantitative Bin (copies/mL) for clinical management.

The antimicrobial resistance gene detected may or may not be associated with the agent(s) responsible for disease. Negative results for these antimicrobial resistance gene assays do not indicate susceptibility to corresponding classes of antimicrobials, as multiple mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance exist.

Antimicrobial resistance can occur via multiple mechanisms. A “Not Detected” result for a genetic marker of antimicrobial resistance does not indicate susceptibility to associated antimicrobial drugs or drug classes. A “Detected” result for a genetic marker of antimicrobial resistance cannot be definitively linked to the microorganism(s) detected. Culture is required to obtain isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus results should be used in conjunction with culture results for determination of bacterial susceptibility or resistance.

Due to the genetic similarity between human rhinovirus and enterovirus, the test cannot reliably differentiate them. A positive Rhinovirus/Enterovirus result should be followed up using an alternate method (e.g., cell culture or sequence analysis) if differentiation is required.

Culture is required to identify pathogens not detected by the BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus, to further speciate analytes in genus, complex, or group results if desired, to identify bacterial pathogens present below the 10^4 copies/mL bin if desired, and for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Indications for use as stated in the FDA summary.

Cite this page

510(k) Report. “K243222: BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel); BIOFIRE® FILMARRAY® Pneumonia Panel plus (BIOFIRE Pneumonia Panel plus).” Lineage record from FDA 510(k) data and the FDA summary. Updated Nov 3, 2026. Accessed Nov 6, 2026. https://510kreport.com/device/K243222

Report an extraction error

Tell us what is wrong; we check it against the FDA summary.

Are you the manufacturer?

Send a correction or an update to this page, for example a newer model or a public statement about a recall.

Record history
  • FDA decision record loaded May 2, 2026
  • Summary read Oct 13, 2026 (extraction version 9eaa42aa01ed)
  • Lineage and recalls computed Nov 3, 2026
  • Page last updated Nov 3, 2026