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| A patient solves a Rubik's cube at a temporary hospital in Wuhan, in central China's Hubei Province, Feb. 10. Xinhua-Yonhap |
By Ko Dong-hwan
As the country reels from the fallout from the novel coronavirus that has killed more than 1,000 people in China, local biotech firms have rolled out new detection kits that drastically reduce infection confirmation times.
The kits cut the time taken to diagnose the virus ― which originated in Wuhan, Hubei Province ― from a day to around an hour in some cases, using a reagent and special diagnostic devices.
The breakthrough is expected to improve on-site detection precision and help patients be treated quickly.
Genetic technology solutions provider SolGent has developed the Diaplex Q Novel Coronavirus Detection Kit. The firm applied to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) for approval of the device that can detect the disease within two hours.
"The KCDC requested supplementary data from us so we submitted it yesterday," SolGent's co-CEO You Jae-hyung told The Korea Times on Feb. 11. "The authority will test it later this week and tell us the decision next week."
Once approved, the detection kit will be used by some 50 private hospitals and medical researchers nationwide designated by the KCDC.
Genematrix recently completed clinical tests of its kit, Neoplex RV Panel-B, on 3,000 cases and applied for KCDC and Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approval. It can detect nine respiratory viruses including coronavirus, enterovirus, rhinovirus, bocavirus and parainfluenza.
Kogene Biotech's PowerChek 2019-nCoV Realtime PCR coronavirus detection kit was approved by the KCDC for local use earlier this month. The kit, the first to be approved by the authority, can detect the virus within six hours, according to Chosun Biz.
Ahram Biosystems and Doknip Biopharm teamed up for an even faster detection kit. On Feb. 9, they signed a memorandum of understanding for the production and sale of the 2019-nCoV Fast POCT System. It is awaiting the authority's approval.
The portable, rechargeable battery-powered device can scan for the disease in 30 minutes, according to NEWSIS.
Molecular detection technology has been developed to the level of it being feasible for point-of-care testing, Ahram CEO Hwang Hyun-jin was quoted as saying.
"The shortage of detection equipment for coronavirus has been weighing down on medical staff, calling for prompt diagnosis and follow-up treatments," Doknip CEO Jeong Tae-gi said.
Korea has had 28 people confirmed with coronavirus as of Tuesday. Four have recovered and left hospital.
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