Cipla announced the commercialisation of a polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test kit ‘ViraGen’ for COVID-19 in India, in partnership with Ubio Biotechnology Systems. ViraGen is Cipla’s third offering in the COVID-19 testing segment. Cipla already has partnerships for antibody detection kit and antigen test kits.

“ViraGen is a real-time detection kit approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and is based on multiplex PCR technology. It helps to identify and detect SARS CoV-2 N Gene and ORF Lab Gene with the sensitivity of 98.6 per cent and the specificity of 98.8 per cent as compared to a standard ICMR test,” informed the company through a statement.

This test is designed for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in the upper and lower respiratory specimens from individuals suspected of COVID-19.

ViraGen used for qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 will be manufactured by Ubio Biotechnology Systems and marketed and distributed by Cipla through its expansive distribution network across the country.

The statement informed, “This launch will help address the current testing services and capacity issues while reaffirming the company’s ongoing expansion in the diagnostic space. The company will commence supply of the detection kit from May 25, 2021.”