Shimadzu develops rapid COVID-19 testing kit to shorten inspection time

March 4, 2020

New reagent kit eliminates genetic material extraction process

On March 4, 2020, Shimadzu Corporation announced that it has started developing a gene detection reagent kit for coronavirus (COVID-19). The kit is designed to significantly reduce the inspection time required for virus testing.

In conventional PCR-based tests, mucus from a patient’s throat is collected and analyzed by extracting virus-specific genetic material. Shimadzu’s new testing kit eliminates the genetic material extraction step, enabling a faster inspection process.

Aiming for mass supply of testing kits

Shimadzu aims to quickly establish a supply system capable of supporting tens of thousands of tests per month. The company continues to accelerate development to meet increasing demand for fast and reliable COVID-19 testing solutions.