Co-Diagnostics Inc., a Salt Lake City-based molecular diagnostics company, has announced that it has completed the principal design work of a PCR test for the monkeypox virus currently being found in breakouts worldwide, including in Salt Lake County.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox is a virus originally transmitted to humans from animals and then transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. Since May 13, cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO from 18 countries that are not endemic for the virus.
When complete, the new test will feature the Co-Diagnostics’ patented CoPrimer technology and was designed using its proprietary software system.
“One of the most important lessons the world learned following the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of quick, decisive action in the face of any potential outbreak of transmissible viruses,” said Co-Diagnostics CEO Dwight Egan. “This means being prepared for every scenario. Co-Diagnostics was founded with the mission to increase the accessibility of affordable, high-quality molecular testing products around the world and we look forward to eventually making this test available in affected regions as needed to help slow the spread of the virus through early and accurate detection.”
PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. PCR tests, known for their accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, detect genetic material (DNA or RNA) from a specific organism, such as a virus.