Bodytechmed Completes Development of Monkeypox PCR Molecular Diagnostic Kit

Exclusive extractor and amplifier enable test results within 1 hour
Development of rapid antigen diagnostic kit also underway... incubation period infection detection possible

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwanju] Boditech Med announced on the 30th that it has completed the development of a molecular diagnostic kit capable of detecting monkeypox infection using a dedicated extractor and gene amplification technology. The company has also started developing a rapid antibody diagnostic kit.

Boditech Med, through its subsidiary EugeneCell, has completed the development of the research-use monkeypox molecular diagnostic kit, ‘ExAmplex Monkeypox PCR kit.’ By using dedicated extraction and amplification devices, results can be confirmed within one hour. Unlike conventional products that require frozen storage, this kit uses lyophilized reagents, allowing storage, distribution, and use at room temperature.

In addition to the PCR molecular diagnostic kit, the company has also begun developing a rapid antibody diagnostic kit that can determine the presence of monkeypox antibodies in the body from a single drop of blood obtained through a simple blood draw.

For PCR testing, samples are collected from vesicles after symptom onset and analyzed, so infection can only be determined once symptoms appear. In contrast, the antibody diagnostic kit can determine infection status during the incubation period by detecting antibody presence, making it an alternative early diagnostic method, according to the company.

The product currently under development by Boditech Med related to monkeypox is a rapid method that allows infection status to be visually confirmed on-site within 15 minutes without the need for a separate diagnostic device. The monkeypox rapid antibody test kit is expected to complete development next month and proceed with clinical trials and export approval procedures.

Choi Eui-yeol, CEO of Boditech Med, said, “Monkeypox has a long incubation period, so it takes a long time to confirm infection status. Since the antibody diagnostic kit can detect infection early during the incubation period, we will proactively respond to monkeypox to prevent its global spread and contribute to public health.”