Mico BioMed Obtains Export Approval for Stealth Omicron Variant Diagnostic Kit

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jihwan] MikobioMed, a manufacturer of in vitro diagnostic medical devices, announced on the 4th that it has received export approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for a COVID-19 variant diagnostic kit capable of detecting even the Stealth Omicron variant.

Recently, the domestic detection rate of Stealth Omicron among confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 10%, emerging as a major variable in quarantine efforts. Stealth Omicron (BA.2), a subvariant of COVID-19 Omicron (BA.1), is expected to cause a larger outbreak due to its higher transmissibility compared to the original Omicron. Stealth Omicron is characterized by being difficult to identify with conventional PCR tests.

MikobioMed analyzed the specific mutation sites of Stealth Omicron and developed a diagnostic kit that can selectively target and detect these mutations. This diagnostic kit amplifies the S gene, which produces the spike protein of the coronavirus, and detects the presence of more than 10 mutations within it. It can specifically detect a total of 10 COVID-19 variants (including Delta, Omicron, Stealth, etc.) and 13 mutation sites.

MikobioMed has been exporting this kit to Brazil for research purposes since the end of last year. A company official stated, "We are accurately analyzing the frequency of mutations and monitoring them promptly to respond immediately," adding, "This approval will expand export opportunities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.