Medicroud, an affiliate of B2N, a KOSDAQ-listed company, announced on the 20th that the development of PCR-based diagnostic technology to prevent the spread of the acute eruptive infectious disease MPOX (Monkeypox virus infection) is progressing smoothly.
Recently, confirmed cases of MPOX have been reported in regions outside Africa, such as Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines, raising global concerns about its spread, with the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring an international public health emergency.
MPOX is an endemic disease in the African region and is a zoonotic infectious disease transmitted to both humans and animals. Infection can occur through contact between animals and humans, humans and humans, and infected environments and humans, primarily spreading through contact with symptomatic infected patients.
On the 17th (local time), Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, stated that the WHO's declaration of an international public health emergency (PHEIC) regarding MPOX is an opportunity for the international community to correct past mistakes of failing to assist Africa.
Medicroud possesses various diagnostic kit technologies and genetic analysis technologies. With diagnostic kit technology and production facilities for seasonal virus diagnostic kits such as COVID-19, the company can promptly respond to the development and production of diagnostic technologies and related kits for MPOX.
A Medicroud official said, “Through our own technological capabilities, we will complete the development of technology transfer and export-related technologies for PCR diagnostic laboratories to prevent infectious diseases such as MPOX,” adding, “As early as the second half of the year, we expect to introduce diagnostic technology with sensitivity and specificity focused on overseas countries with a high risk of outbreak.”
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