Medical device companies gear up to make kits to test the new threat

Gurgaon-based Genes2Me on Tuesday said it has developed a test to detect the M+onkeypox virus, joining a clutch of companies that have developed diagnostic kits to help contain the virus’ flare-up in regions where it was not found earlier. Genes2Me said its real-time PCR-based kit for quick detection of Monkeypox virus has a turnaround time of less than 50 minutes.

The company said its experts have developed “POX-Q Multiplexed RT-PCR kit” for the detection of the novel virus along with differentiation from varicella zoster virus (chickenpox) in a single-tube multiplex reaction format. Another company, Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions, is also developing a test kit for monkeypox. Last month, medical devices company Trivitron Healthcare announced that it has developed a real-time PCR-based kit for detection of the monkeypox virus.

“India has always been at the forefront of extending help to the world, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, and this time also the world needs assistance,” Trivitron Healthcare Group chief executive officer Chandra Ganjoo said in a statement. The company said diagnostic tools are crucial, along with response measures to control the spread of the virus and deal with emerging public health challenges.

“Trivitron’s monkeypox real-time PCR kit is a four -colour fluorescence-based kit, which can differentiate between smallpox and Monkeypox in a one-tube single-reaction format, with a total turnaround time of one hour,” it said.