Bioneer to export twindemic test kits to Mexico

Bioneer has won approval from the Mexican Food and Drug Administration (COFEPRIS) to supply its Covid-19/flu dual test kit to the central American country.

Bioneer has won approval to export its Covid-19/flu simultaneous testing device, AccuPower® RV1 Multiplex Kit, to Mexico. (Bioneer)

The AccuPower® RV1 Multiplex Kit simultaneously conducts the diagnosis of Covid-19 and influenza. The product showed 100 percent accuracy in tests by the Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference in Mexico (InDRE). It acquired an export license from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in October.

The kit produces faster and more accurate results than screening for separate diagnosis since it tests the two viruses in a single sample using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. As the early symptoms of the coronavirus and flu are similar, PCR diagnostics will secure stable results in examinations before vaccine inoculation, Bioneer said Tuesday.

“As Mexico approved the emergency use of Pfizer’s vaccine for Covid-19 last Friday, we also expect the demand for molecular diagnostics will rise for pre-vaccination examination,” a Bioneer official said.

Bioneer exported 5 billion won ($4.57 million) worth of fully automated nucleic acid extraction system this year and plans to build a trustful partnership with the country, the official added.

Mexico’s market size of the Covid-19 diagnosis is estimated at 110 billion won this year and is expected to grow 12 percent a year. Bioneer will keep a close eye on the Latin American country, which will likely become a significant emerging market of multi-diagnosis and molecular-based diagnostics devices, Bioneer said.