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The number of global confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus has surpassed two million, government and different pharma companies are still struggling to get any breakthrough, in either the containment or cure of the pandemic. The number of death counts are increasing everyday with a great pace, as per WHO data over 1.5 lac people have already succumbed to the disease. Amid all this panic, there is some positive as well, the pharmaceutical giant Roche Holdings aims to go live with its newly devised coronavirus antibody test in the United Kingdom. The premise of the newly developed test is based on Antibody testing, which has already gained acceptance in nations who have done well to contain the spread of the deadly pandemic such as Finland, Germany, and South Korea. This testing is believed to be a possible solution for nations to return to normalcy.
Roche develops new antibody test to detect COVID-19 antibodies
The newly developed serology test named as Elecsys®Anti-SARS-CoV-2 by Roche could help in detecting the presence of antibodies against the novel coronavirus in patients who have been infected in the past. This test was developed keeping in mind an underlying theory. If a person is found positive in the newly developed test, this would imply that since they already suffered from the virus therefore are more likely to be immune against it and hence the virus would not spread to others. These tests can be helpful in issuing immunity certificates to people and could be a possible method come out of the lockdown situation. However, since the test is for asymptomatic, it could only be conducted after 28 days of infection.
WHO (World Health Organization) has raised genuine concerns on whether the tainted individuals recovering from Covid-19 are developing antibodies? There was little evidence that the recovered individuals had developed enough antibodies to help prevent reinfection and till how long they can resist.
Antibody testing is key to identify individuals who have been detected with the infection, particularly the individuals who may have been fallen prey to this deadly virus however have not shown any signs. Moreover, priorities can be set by screening the high-risk groups, for instance, healthcare staff, essential service providers, who may as of now have built up a specific degree of invulnerability and can keep serving or potentially can resume work. The life can return towards normality faster once the world learns more about the immunity of the novel coronavirus.
The company is working hard to make roll out these tests in the US and UK and is seeking required approvals from the concerned authorities such as FDA. Roche is scaling up its production to make test available around the world at a much quicker pace and working in consonance with the health authorities.
The antibody test is of immense significance following different stages in the battle against the deadly virus. Roche’s antibody test can be immediately scaled and made comprehensively accessible around the globe as the prerequisite instrument infrastructure is already available in various countries.
The Group's new test utilises human serum and plasma drawn from a blood test, to distinguish antibodies and understand the body's resistance to the deadly pandemic. The test might be utilised in epidemiological research to research and learn the spread of the virus and may likewise be used in conjunction with molecular tests to facilitate the diagnosis of the people who are potential suspects of the novel coronavirus. Emergency clinics, hospitals and testing facilities can without much of a stretch run the test on existing Roche's infrastructure, which is easily accessible in labs around the globe.
About Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2)
Coronaviruses (CoV) is a group of deadly viruses that cause sickness from basic flu to progressively serious ailments and mostly attack the respiratory system in humans. The novel coronavirus is a new strain which is believed to be derived from wildlife, which has never been identified in humans. Most common symptoms observed in the infected people are like that of pneumonia such as troubled breathing, fever, cough, and eventually vital organs failure leading to death.
The rapid outbreak of the deadly pandemic has worsened the situation for global trade over the past few months. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 2,245,872 people have been found infected with the contagious virus out of which 152,707 died across 213 countries as on 20th April 2020. To contain the spread of the deadly virus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends personal hygiene, use of face masks, thoroughly cooked food, and social distancing.
About Elecsys®Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology test
The new test devised by Roche known as Elecsys®Anti-SARS-CoV-2 is capable of detecting the presence of antibodies in blood plasma and serum, which would flag whether an individual has been as of now infected and possibly created invulnerability to the infection. Medical clinics and reference labs can easily run the test on existing infrastructure which is easily accessible around the globe. These completely computerised testing frameworks can provide with test results in roughly 18 minutes, with a testing capacity of conducting nearly 300 tests every hour.
About Roche Holdings
Roche Holdings AG is a worldwide pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, concentrated on driving science to improve individuals' lives. The combination of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics have turned out to be fruitful for Roche in pioneering customized treatments – a methodology that plans to fit the correct treatment to every patient in the most ideal manner conceivable. Roche is one of the biggest biotech groups in the world, with differentiated research approach in the fields of immunology, oncology, ophthalmology, contagious infections, and diseases related to the nervous system of the body. Along with a proven track record of leadership in diabetes, the company is also known for its cancer diagnostics and other critical diseases.
Established in 1896, Roche keeps on looking for better solutions to foresee, analyse and treat illnesses and make a practical contribution to medical science. The group additionally seeks to improve accessibility of clinical advancements to the world by seeking collaborations with its partners.
Roche has immensely contributed to the medical society of the world as it has developed more than thirty essential medicines such as antimalarials, cancer medicines, and life-saving antibiotics which are also in the list of essential medicines by the World Health Organization.
The Switzerland based group, has presence in more than 100 nations and has a representative base of around 98 thousand people worldwide. Roche Holdings recorded a turnover of CHF 61.5 billion and invested CHF 11.7 billion in R&D in the fiscal year 2019.
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