Indigenous COVID-19 self-testing CoviFind gets ICMR approval

Merrill, a global medtech company based in Vapi, Gujarat, today announced that it has received approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a self-contained rapid antigen test for COVID-19. In a statement issued here today, the company said that this indigenously developed test can accurately detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus in infectious individuals and hence can be used to test symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of confirmed coronavirus cases. can be done for. This is in line with the recent ICMR guidelines. Merrill’s home-use rapid antigen tests will carry out COVID-19 testing as well as help the nation meet the increased demand for continuous testing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The provision of high-quality rapid antigen testing will enable access to screening even in previously inaccessible or under-served areas.
The COVID-19 test for self-examination is highly effective in individuals with moderate to high viral loads. This will be helpful in detecting infection especially in case of individuals who are more prone to transmit the disease to others. Early detection of cases is important to ensure isolation, immediate contact tracing and treatment, if required. The test also gives faster results. It provides accurate results in just 15 minutes. Additionally, the test does not require any special storage or refrigeration, thus making distribution easy and convenient.
The test is priced at Rs 250 and will be made available as a single-pack along with options for packs of 3, 5 and 25 tests. Each test kit contains test materials, including a test instrument, a nasal swab and a pre-filled buffer tube. Also no additional equipment is necessary. The kit will also contain an Instruction for Use (IFU) leaflet, with a disposable bag containing a step-by-step description of the administration, operation and post-use disposal procedure of the test. After use of the test, the nasal swab is inserted into the provided lysis buffer tube, which inactivates SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. The tubes and other test material should then be placed in the disposable bag provided, which provides a high degree of biosafety, to ensure safe disposal.