Celltrion Group has recently revealed its plan to expand the diagnostic portfolio for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. The portfolio expansion has been planned to ensure high access to the coronavirus testing and significantly curb the spread of the virus globally.
The company has developed a POCT (point-of-care antigen testing) kit for the COVID-19, in collaboration with BBB, a South Korea-based healthcare company. BBB specializes in lab-on-a-chip technology and blood testing. The POCT developed by Celltrion is a highly sensitive and portable device, which is adopted in point of care testing for the early detection of coronavirus infected patients in clinical settings.
There has been more than 95% sensitivity observed in the early results of the POCT kit prototype for COVID-19. The kit deploys lab-on-a-chip tech that consists of a microfluidic electrochemical biosensor for delivering fast & accurate results. The kit is also capable of providing results within 15 to 20 minutes.
Celltrion is anticipating the CE marking of the testing kit in June, ahead of its expected launch in July, for use in Europe. The company has inked a distribution agreement with an in-vitro diagnostic company, Humasis, to sell and distribute a diagnostic test across the globe in June. This diagnostic test is a COVID-19 RDT (rapid antibody diagnostic test) kit, which could serve as a cost-effective means for hospitals to examine the patients who can be discharged.
Additionally, Celltrion and Humasis will partner in the development of an antigen diagnostic test and an antibody diagnostic test. In this event, the biopharmaceutical company will adopt its proprietary COVID-19 antibody-antiviral tech to improve the detection sensitivity. It is also planning to use its advanced therapeutic technologies to the maximum level for expanding a range of the co-developed diagnostic devices for other infectious diseases as well.
In May, the company revealed the positive results of the pre-clinical test for the antiviral-antibody treatment, in addition to the advancement of its COVID-19 diagnostic methods.
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