Roche Launches Three Monkeypox Rapid Diagnostic Kits Amid Global Outbreak; Over 10 Chinese Biopharma Firms Enter the Market

Monkeypox virus is still spreading and has now spread to more than 20 countries. Pharmaceutical companies in and outside China are taking rapid action to respond.

On May 25 local time, Roche and its subsidiary TIB Molbiol jointly announced that they had developed three rapid test kits for detecting the monkeypox virus.

• The first kit can detect orthopoxviruses, including all monkeypox viruses from West African and Central African viral forms.

• The second kit is a specific test exclusively for detecting the monkeypox virus, specifically designed for the West African and Central African strains.

• The third kit can detect orthopoxvirus and monkeypox virus simultaneously.

Previously, on December 1, 2021, Roche announced the completion of its acquisition of TIB Molbiol, its partner, to address the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its presence in the field of infectious disease testing. TIB Molbiol now officially operates as a subsidiary of Roche Diagnostics.

Two Companies to Focus on Rapid Development of PCR Assays and Diagnostic Tests for Emerging Pathogens and Potential Health Threats from COVID-19The two companies have been collaborating on research into infectious diseases and epidemic viruses for over 20 years, including SARS, anthrax, avian influenza virus H5N1, MERS, novel influenza virus H1N1, Ebola virus, Zika virus, SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants, among others.

Within days of the completion of the acquisition, Roche announced the development of three research assay kits targeting the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which are able to quickly and accurately identify Omicron.

"Diagnostic tools are crucial for addressing and ultimately controlling emerging public health challenges, as they advance response measures such as tracking efforts and treatment strategies," said Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche Diagnostics, in a statement.

Roche said that these test kits are now available for research in most countries around the world.

In addition, BARDA said last week that it would spend $119 million in an agreement with Bavarian Nordic to exercise the option for the Jynneos freeze-dried stockpile, which includes monkeypox and smallpox.

At the same time, more than 10 biopharmaceutical companies in China, such as Surexam Biotech, Sansure Biotech, ZJ Bio-Tech, Hotgen Biotech, and BGI Genomics, have successively announced that they possess monkeypox virus monitoring reagent products or have developed monkeypox virus detection kits.

Reference Source:

1.Roche unveils three new monkeypox tests as cases rise

2.PR Newswire