16.03.2020, Interfax
MOSCOW. March 16 (Interfax) - The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) supervisory board has approved investment in production of a diagnosis system for the new generation COVID-19 virus, the fund said in a statement.
The system applies the SmartAmp method of isothermal molecular diagnostics and in terms of accuracy is on par with the polymerase chain reaction method used currently, but is much faster and does not require a stationary laboratory, the fund said in a statement.
The system is a result of the partnership between Russian and Japanese companies and scientists, the RDIF said.
Launch of full-scale testing using the new test is planned for April 2020.
The lineup of testing systems is adapted for stationary and portable minilaboratories (a small suitcase), and is prepared for use everywhere - in hospitals or any public facilities (schools, offices, airports, train stations). Express diagnosis of the virus takes up to a half hour.
Mass implementation of the system will aid in limiting the spread of coronavirus due to prompt determination of infected patients, the statement said.
In early March, trials were begun of the joint Russia-Japanese test at Rospotrebnadzor's Vector Federal Budget Institute of Science State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology.
The RDIF is also promoting this technology in foreign markets. The developed methodology is undergoing accelerate certification and receipt of necessary permissions in Europe, Asia and in the Middle East. Clinics and laboratories in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Austria have confirmed the accuracy of the test and made preliminary requests for the purchase of over 500,000 tests, the statement said.
The RDIF, together with the government, is working on the possibility of making tests available as quickly as possible for use everywhere, the statement said.