In-vitro diagnostics (IVD) company Fapon Biotech said that it has delivered antigen diagnostic solutions to help control the monkeypox outbreak in the African region.
The Chinese firm aims to enhance global health through advanced antigen diagnostic solutions.
It has offered these diagnostic products to tackle the emerging threat in response to to last week’s declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the monkeypox outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Since the onset of the monkeypox outbreak in 2022, Fapon Biotech has been refining and enhancing its raw materials for monkeypox antigen rapid tests.
Its diagnostic products have high sensitivity and specificity, and they do not cross-react with non-OPXVs, such as the varicella-zoster virus, the company claimed.
The biotechnology company provides effective and accessible testing solutions, especially in low- and middle-income countries and regions, to ensure timely and accurate diagnoses.
Fapon Biotech said that the global spread of the monkeypox virus has increased the need for diagnostics, especially the demand for simplified, automated assays that can be used outside of traditional laboratory settings.
To address this need and improve access to user-friendly monkeypox diagnostics, WHO established a target product profile for decentralised use, including in community settings.
The initiative prompted many IVD companies to develop point-of-care testing (POCT) products, making screening and diagnosis more accessible in rural and resource-limited areas.
In the fight against monkeypox, Fapon Biotech aims to use its expertise to tackle this global health challenge and support partners in creating monkeypox rapid diagnostic tests.
The firm has been developing IVD solutions for various infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, malaria, dengue, and respiratory illnesses.
Additionally, the biotechnology company will use its expertise in antibody design and advanced technology to develop diagnostic tests that facilitate early detection and timely treatment, ultimately enhancing public health outcomes.
Last November, Fapon Biotech opened its American research and development (R&D) centre in Lexington, Massachusetts.
The centre will support the development of molecular diagnostic technologies and novel therapeutic platforms.
