Cipla Launches Covid-19 Detection Test Kit ; Shares Gain

Cipla launched ViraGen which is a real-time detection kit approved by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and is based on multiplex PCR technology.

Shares of the country's leading drug maker - Cipla - rose as much as 2.63 per cent to hit an intraday high of Rs 927.85 after the company launched Coronavirus detections test kit. "Cipla announced the commercialization of a polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test kit 'ViraGen' for COVID-19 in India, in partnership with Ubio Biotechnology Systems Pvt. Ltd. ViraGen is Cipla's third offering in the Covid-19 testing segment. Cipla already has partnerships for antibody detection kit and antigen test kits," Cipla said in a press release. ViraGen is a real-time detection kit approved by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) 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. 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, Cipla said. 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.