RDK introduces monkeypox PCR test kits to Korea

Roche Diagnostics Korea introduces three PCR diagnostic kits for monkeypox detection

Completes development of 3 products that can diagnose the monkeypox virus

Pic of Roche Diagnostics Korea

On the 4th, Roche Diagnostics Korea announced that it had introduced PCR diagnostics kits for the detection of the monkeypox virus in Korea.

 

The three kits that were introduced to Korea this time -▲ LightMix Modular Orthopox Virus, ▲ LightMix Modular Monkeypox Virus, and ▲ LightMix Modular Orthopox Virus typing1- were developed by Roche and its subsidiary TIB Molbiol in May this year.

 

The first kit detects all forms of orthopoxviruses.

 

The second kit, LightMix Modular Monkeypox Virus, targets and diagnoses all monkeypox viruses, and the third kit, LightMix Modular Orthopox Virus typing1, checks whether the subject has the monkeypox virus while detecting orthopoxviruses.

 

All three tests may be conducted using Roche Diagnostics Korea’s equipment LightCycler 480 II2 or Cobas Z 4803 analyzer.

 

The diagnostic kits are in use for research in many countries and have also been introduced to Korea for research purposes.

 

Monkeypox, which had been a rare endemic that typically occurs in Central and West Africa, has been rapidly spreading to various countries around the world after the first case was reported in the UK on May 7.

 

Recently, monkeypox has been spreading to non-endemic areas outside Africa, including the US, Europe, and the Middle East.

 

In Korea, the authorities have raised the country’s risk alert level for monkeypox from “of interest” to “caution” after the first patient was confirmed in Korea.

 

In June 2022, the authorities designated monkeypox as a Class 2 infectious disease and reinforced monitoring for the disease.

 

Kit Tang, General Manager of Roche Diagnostics Korea, said “Roche Diagnostics has quickly released a diagnostics kit for the monkeypox virus just as it had released a diagnostics kit for COVID-19 immediately after its outbreak.

 

Innovative diagnostic solutions play a key role in controlling infectious diseases, and we look forward to working with HCPs and institutions in Korea to contribute to improving public health and its response to the monkeypox virus.”