Viskhapatnam: The first indigenously-developed RT-PCR kit developed by Transasia Bio-Medicals was unveiled by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Centre Ajay Kumar Sood. RT-PCR kit was developed for testing monkey-pox was launched at Andhra Pradesh Med-tech Zone (AMTZ) on Friday.

Transasia Bio-Medicals, CMD Suresh Vazirani, said, the highly sensitive test kit will help in the early detection and better management of the infection. He said that the test kit is easy to use, the CMD explained that the RT-PCR assay has a uniquely formulated primer and probe for enhanced accuracy. The company is capable of producing affordable and reliable devices through innovative research, he added.

WHO has declared the monkey-pox outbreak as a global health emergency of international concern. Referring to WHO’s briefing on August 17, Dr Ajay Kumar Sood said over 35,000 cases of zoonotic disease and 12 deaths have been confirmed in 92 countries. The technologically advanced production facility at AMTZ has the capacity to manufacture over 200 million monkey-pox test kits per month, said Transasia Bio-Medicals Vice-President (R&D-Reagents) Manoj Chugh noted.

Scientific Secretary Dr Arabinda Mitra, former Director-General of the ICMR Balram Bhargava were present.