Cipla Limited has entered into a partnership with Premier Medical Corporation Private Limited for the commercialisation of the rapid antigen test kits to detect COVID 19 in India.
The company will start supplying the kits that will detect the viral disease in just about 15-20 minutes from this week, Hindustan Times (HT) reported from an official statement.
This is Cipla’s second launch in the diagnostics space after Elifast: SARS CoV-2 IgG ELISA Test Kit, which detects antibodies against the virus that causes COVID-19.
“In this collaboration, Cipla will be responsible for the marketing and distribution of the Rapid Antigen Detection Test for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen that will be manufactured by Premier Medical Corporation Private Limited,” said a company statement, HT reported.
How does the kit work?
The kit, to be marketed under the brand name ‘CIPtest’, is a rapid point-of-care nasopharyngeal swab test that directly detects the presence or absence of coronavirus antigen in the patient’s body. Only ICMR-authorised labs are permitted to conduct rapid antigen testing.
“CIPtest is a reliable high-performing kit that has been validated and approved by ICMR. It is found to have specificity and sensitivity of 98.09% and up to 75% respectively. It is not only rapid with a quick turn-around time, but also enables easy interpretation of results without the need of any additional instrument. Cipla’s expansive distribution network will help in ensuring the supply of kits across the country,” the company statement added.
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