Vietnam’s scientists successfully develop quick coronavirus test kit

Anh Kiet

Mar 03, 2020 / 06:53 PM

The biological kit uses molecular biotechnology for testing whose results have the same sensitivity as the World Health Organization (WHO)’s kit used for nCoV diagnosis.

Scientists from the Institute of Biotechnology under Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have developed a novel coronavirus (nCoV) test kit which provides results in 80 minutes, VnExpress reported.

The research team of the Institute of Biotechnology study the biological kit. Photo: V. Linh

The institute’s Deputy Director Dong Van Quyen, leader of the research team, on March 3 said the research and development of biological products detecting nCoV have been completed.

The biological kit uses molecular biotechnology for testing whose results have the same sensitivity as WHO’s kit used for nCoV diagnosis.

The general principle of the biological kit basing on molecular technology is molecular biology engineering (RT-PCR and realtime RT-PCR). Currently, the research team has tested the sensitivity and specificity in the group of viruses causing respiratory disease in humans (not corona group).

Quyen added that scientists will conduct testing on patients’ samples to be sure that the test kit is 100% reliable. Currently, the Institute of Military Preventive Medicine is testing the biological kit on samples, the results will be announced soon.

"The cost of the commercial standard kit is about VND500,000 - 700,000 (US$21.5 -30.1), but as the research team owns the technology, thus, the made-in-Vietnam kit will definitely be cheaper than imported one," Quyen said.

Vietnam now able to produce rapid test kit for coronavirus

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The rapid test kit for the new coronavirus will be soon put into mass production, contributing to rapid diagnosis of the coronavirus.

Vietnam seeks to produce nCoV test kits

31 Jan, 17:14

Local health experts said that test kits would greatly help Vietnam deal with the situation.

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