India's new RT-PCR kit takes on monkeypox amid health crisis | Fusion - WeRIndia

In response to the World Health Organization’s declaration of a public health emergency due to Monkeypox, India has swiftly developed a powerful tool to combat the virus.

The newly identified strain, Clad-1, is causing global concern due to its higher transmissibility and mortality rates.

In a significant stride for the Make in India initiative, the country has introduced an indigenous RT-PCR testing kit to detect Monkeypox, now approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.

Developed by Siemens Healthineers, the IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay marks a crucial advancement in India’s public health arsenal.

The kit, which is set to be produced at Siemens’ molecular diagnostics unit in Vadodara, Gujarat, boasts an impressive annual production capacity of one million reactions.

This large-scale production ensures that the kits will be readily available to meet the growing demand.

The IMDX assay targets two key regions of the Monkeypox viral genome, effectively covering both Clade I and Clade II variants.

This comprehensive detection capability allows the assay to identify various viral strains with high accuracy.

Notably, the kit integrates smoothly with existing PCR laboratory setups, meaning no new equipment is needed, which optimizes efficiency.

Additionally, its compatibility with the current COVID-19 testing infrastructure is expected to accelerate its adoption in laboratories in the country.

Siemens Healthcare highlighted the critical importance of accurate diagnostics in the fight against Monkeypox.

The IMDX Monkeypox Detection RT-PCR Assay delivers results in just 40 minutes. It is a significant improvement over traditional methods that can take up to two hours.

Clinically validated by the ICMR-National Institute of Virology in Pune, the assay boasts 100% sensitivity and specificity, ensuring reliable detection.

Moreover, the kit adheres to Indian regulatory standards and meets the highest global benchmarks, solidifying its role in India’s response to the Monkeypox crisis.

This indigenous development not only strengthens India’s health infrastructure but also positions the country as a key player in global health innovation.

As the world continues to grapple with the Monkeypox outbreak, India’s proactive approach provides a critical tool in controlling the spread of the virus and safeguarding public health.

Image Credit: PDB-101.rcsb.org, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Source: Direct source: https://pdb101.rcsb.org/learn/flyers-posters-and-calendars/flyer/poxviruses

Source reference: PDB-101: Educational resources supporting molecular explorations through biology and medicine. Christine Zardecki, Shuchismita Dutta, David S. Goodsell, Robert Lowe, Maria Voigt, Stephen K. Burley. (2022) Protein Science 31: 129-140 doi:10.1002/pro.4200

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monkeypox_viruses_scale.png