The production line of antigen test kit for novel coronavirus, developed by a team from Chongqing Medical University and produced by Chongqing M&D Biotechnology Co., Ltd., celebrated a successful trial production, announced Chongqing High-Tech Industrial Development Zone on August 9. The daily output of the production line can reach 100,000.

The manufacturing plant of the first made-in-Chongqing antigen test kit. (Photo/ Shangyou News)

Developed by the team led by Professor Huang Ailong from Chongqing Medical University, the antigen test kit for novel coronavirus is the first of its kind in Chongqing that uses antigen to screen COVID-19 patients. It can realize single on-site testing without the aid of any auxiliary instruments or equipment. It can give a reliable testing result within 15 to 30 minutes, making it a perfect choice, especially for massive on-site emergency testing.

"Compared with nucleic acid diagnosis, the antigen test kit can be used in distributed screenings in airports, stations, harbors, and other public spaces featuring a large flow of people, and is an effective way to identify suspected cases and isolate infection sources in the early stage. Therefore, it is beneficial in across-the-board prevention and control and screening," introduced Huang Ailong.

The antigen test kit for novel coronavirus. (Photo/ Shangyou News)

"So far, the core area of the Western (Chongqing) Science City has attracted a batch of competitive enterprises in the health industry." According to the head of the Reform and Development Bureau of Chongqing High-tech Industrial Development Zone, by 2025, the science city is expected to drive the total value of the big health industry over the threshold of 30 billion yuan. It will also attract 200 enterprises. New drugs and medical instruments account for over 70%; by 2030, the science city will cultivate a batch of significant innovation achievements and emerge as a life science innovation center in western China.