Source: Nanfang Plus

On January 30, the journalist of Nanfang Plus was informed that Guangdong Hybribio Biotech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to “Hybribio”) has completed the development of two COVID-19 diagnostic kits on the 29th. Among them, the kit using RT-PCR method was developed in Chaozhou, and the other using sanger sequencing method was developed in Guangzhou. The above kits can be used for quickly recognization and identification of suspected patients, and with a test report issued in about 2 hours.

Hybribio is a leading provider of nucleic acid molecular diagnostic products domestically, and a leader in nucleic acid detection and third-party molecular medical testing. During the SARS epidemic in 2003, Hybribio used a self-developed technology of diversion hybridization to quickly detect SARS virus specimens within 15 minutes.

According to reports, with the epidemic of the novel coronavirus, Hybribio has urgently organized a research team to invest in the development of diagnostic kits. Through the strictly control of quality and production process, Hybribio completed the development of two COVID-19 diagnostic kits on January 29, with the confirmation of stability, reliability, and accuracy. As said, the above diagnostic kits were based on RT-PCR technology and sanger sequencing platform, which can help medical institutions and disease control departments to take timely and effective prevention and control measures. It’s also reported that this series of products were only used for the detection of novel coronaviruses, not for treatment.

According to information provided, the above products are currently only for scientific research and have not yet obtained a product registration certificate. However, Hybribio has already submitted an emergency approval application for medical devices to the drug regulatory authority. After approved, Hybribio will provide the diagnostic kit to disease control departments and medical institutions for detection. It also helped the government and health departments of prevention and control to screening of infected patients during incubation period.

After the diagnostic reagents have passed the emergency approval, Hybribio will donate 20,000 diagnostic reagents to Hubei Province and Chaozhou City to support the local work for health and epidemic prevention .

In addition, according to the Notice on Further Strengthening the Detection of Novel Coronavirus Nucleic Acids in the Province issued by the Headquarter of Novel Coronavirus Infection Pneumonia Epidemic Prevention and Control of Hubei Province on January 27, 2020, Wuhan Hybribio Medical Laboratory Co., Ltd., subsidiary of Hybribio, has been included in the list of third-party institutions that can carry out the detection of novel coronavirus nucleic acid (the 1st batch). In addition, Hybribio has selected some professionals of medical testing as part of medical team of Chaozhou to support the laboratory medicine of COVID-19 in the affected area. The list has been submitted to the government departments in Chaozhou.

Furthermore, Hybribio has 20 Independent Clinical Laboratory (ICL) all over China, which were well-prepared for the epidemic. Base on the testing needs and policy arrangements of local medical institutions, they can contribute to strengthening the nucleic acid testing of local novel coronavirus and do their best on prevention and control of novel coronavirus.