Coronavirus: Chinese test kits approved for use across Europe, United States

Despite the war of words between lawmakers and diplomats, Chinese and American companies are working together in the fight against Covid-19

Chinese Genome sequencing company BGI Group says its RT-PCR product became commercially available in the United States on Wednesday

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Chinese firms are selling their coronavirus test kits around the world but also collaborating with companies in other countries. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 6:00am, 23 Mar 2020Updated: 10:52am, 23 Mar 2020

With the coronavirus outbreak seemingly coming under control in China, local manufacturers are ramping up their production of test kits for export, as demand for them soars around the world.

Genome sequencing company BGI Group, which was one of the first Chinese firms to develop a test kit after being granted approval to do so by Beijing in late January, said its RT-PCR product became commercially available in the United States on Wednesday.

It had also been granted a CE certification mark to sell the product within the European Economic Area, the company said.

According to its website, BGI has performed more than 500,000 tests in China and is now distributing its kits to over 50 countries and regions around the world.

The announcement of the kit’s availability in America came after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to expedite clinical testing for SARS-CoV-2 – the official name for the novel coronavirus – by allowing companies to start selling tests before they have been reviewed by federal authorities or granted official emergency clearance.

As of Sunday, the United States had reported more than 26,000 infections and 340 deaths, according to figures provided by Johns Hopkins University.

A coronavirus test kit made by Chinese company BGI Group is now available in the US. Photo: Xinhua

While authorities in the US are ramping up testing for suspected cases, the situation in China has improved significantly in recent days. On Saturday, 46 new cases were reported across the country, though all but one were imported, and the domestic case was the first in four days.

Coronavirus: Chinese test kits approved for use across Europe, United States

Despite the war of words between lawmakers and diplomats, Chinese and American companies are working together in the fight against Covid-19 Chinese Genome sequencing company BGI Group says its RT-PCR product became commercially available in the United States on Wednesday

Despite the war of words between lawmakers and diplomats, Chinese and American companies are working together in the fight against Covid-19

Chinese Genome sequencing company BGI Group says its RT-PCR product became commercially available in the United States on Wednesday