India Launches Indigenous RT-PCR Kit for Rapid Monkeypox Detection

India has developed its own RT-PCR testing kit named IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay to combat the Monkeypox virus. Approved by CDSCO, the kit promises faster results and high accuracy, enhancing the country's diagnostic capabilities amid the global health emergency declared by WHO.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern, citing the virus's heightened transmissibility and mortality rates. India has responded by developing an indigenous RT-PCR testing kit named IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay, which has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

This significant milestone in India's 'Make in India' initiative marks a critical advancement in the fight against Monkeypox. The diagnostic kit is set to be produced at Siemens Healthineers' molecular diagnostics unit in Vadodara, capable of manufacturing one million reactions annually. The assay targets two regions in the viral genome, ensuring comprehensive detection across multiple strains and integrating seamlessly into existing lab workflows.

Hariharan Subramanian, Managing Director of Siemens Healthcare Private Limited, emphasized the urgency of precise diagnostics. 'By providing advanced assay kits tailored to combat Monkeypox, we are prioritizing prompt and accurate detection, crucial for saving lives,' he stated. The RT-PCR assay kit, clinically validated by ICMR-NIV Pune, provides results in just 40 minutes, significantly faster than traditional methods, boasting 100% sensitivity and specificity.

(With inputs from agencies.)