This diagnostic kit is designed for the early detection of dengue fever.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) is cooperating with state pharmaceutical firm PT Kimia Farma in manufacturing dengue fever rapid test kits.
"This diagnostic kit is designed for early detection and non-early detection of dengue fever. This way, dengue fever can be detected earlier using this device," BPPT Chief Hammam Riza said in a press statement released on Monday (June 17, 2019).
Riza noted that the signing of the cooperation agreement with Kimia Farma is very important to ensure that the dengue kits could be produced en masse.
"We realize that the BPPT's study and innovation will not reach the community or users (without the cooperation with Kimia Farma). Therefore, we have teamed up with the domestic industry, in this case PT Kimia Farma, which is ready to produce it en masse," he said.
The cooperation covers optimizing the production of raw materials and dengue fever rapid test kits, conducting function tests and arranging a permit to circulate dengue fever rapid test kits, transferring technology in the production of raw materials and test kits, and producing and commercializing the kits.
Riza expressed his hope that the dengue fever kits would be on the market soon to allow early detection and treatment of dengue fever cases throughout the country.
"In addition, we also hope that the innovation of dengue fever kits will prove the technological existence of BPPT in encouraging self-reliance and competitiveness in the domestic health industry," he said.
The rapid test kit is based upon immunochromatographic technology using anti-NS1 monoclonal antibody developed by the BPPT. It takes from 2 to 10 minutes to detect dengue fever using the kit.
Translator: Martha Herlinawati S, Suharto
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
