A. Menarini and Credo Diagnostics Enter into Agreement for Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 Assay Kit

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 03 Apr 2020

Image: How the test works (Photo courtesy of A. Menarini Diagnostics)

A. Menarini Diagnostics (Florence, Italy) and Credo Diagnostics Biomedical (Singapore) have entered into an exclusive distribution agreement for the SARS-CoV-2 assay kit and other assays for the diagnosis of respiratory infections (RSV and group Strep A). The tests will be run on the VitaPCR (Credo Diagnostics Biomedical's Point-of-Care molecular testing platform) which allows the diagnosis of COVID-19 in just 20 minutes.

A. Menarini develops high tech diagnostics instruments and reagents to improve the quality of life of patients, providing healthcare professionals the best possible solutions to diagnostics needs. The company’s areas of expertise include self testing (self monitoring blood glucose, continuous glucose monitoring), clinical diagnostics (autoimmune testing, diabetes testing, hemoglobinopathies, urinalysis, urine sediment), infectious diseases (syndromic molecular testing) and tissue diagnostics (cellular pathology, forensics). Credo Diagnostics develops and manufactures innovative, easy-to-use and rapid molecular diagnostic solutions for Point-of-Care (POC) applications at affordable costs without compromising accuracy and speed in the areas of animal health, human health, and human wellness.

The COVID-19 molecular test and instrument are fundamental to both first aid facilities and intensive care units. These diagnostics kits adopt a reaction technology of the utmost accuracy on Point-of-Care instruments which are both compact (the size of a dictionary) and easy to use, giving a rapid diagnosis in settings such as emergency rooms, triage units, airports, seaports and railway stations. Once a nasal or oropharyngeal sample has been taken by a healthcare professional, this is inserted into a vial containing a liquid and shaken. The contents are then transferred into a second reagent tube which, once closed, will be placed inside the VitaPCR system, thus starting the analysis process. Within 20 minutes the test results are displayed on the instrument's built-in screen, confirming whether the sample analyzed has proven negative or positive.

"We have always believed that Point-of-Care molecular testing is the future. We look forward to working with Menarini to bring these tests to the market, especially in a crisis like this, to save lives," said Winston Wong Jr., Chairman of Credo Diagnostics Biomedical.

"Menarini Diagnostics has been working relentlessly over the past few weeks to find a way to help healthcare workers in the fight against the virus," said Fabio Piazzalunga, General Manager of Menarini Diagnostics. "We believe it is essential to have solutions which will allow the detection of positive cases, minimize times and take screening where it is needed, running tests both rapidly and with the most accurate technology possible. Thanks to this collaboration with Credo Diagnostics Biomedical, the Menarini Group hopes to be able to provide substantial support to healthcare workers."

Related Links:
A. Menarini Diagnostics
Credo Diagnostics Biomedical

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