The first Covid-19 RT-PCT test maker in the Philippines, Manila HealthTek (MTek), has received the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its African Swine Fever (ASF) Test Kit that seeks to protect the pork industry.
The country’s first and only biotech company in diagnostics announced on October 25, 2021, the FDA approval for its affordable highly effective testing scheme on the African Swine Fever that threatens both the livelihood of Filipino farmers and the nation’s food security.
The University of the Philippines Manila’s spin-off company previously announced its development of the ASF Diagnostic Kit that awaits FDA approval before distribution throughout the country.
MTek’s ASF Kit, a molecular-based testing platform, was validated by an external reputable national reference animal testing laboratory and found to be 100% sensitive and 100% specific.
Dr. Raul Destura, founder and CEO of MTek says, “Because it is locally manufactured, it will cost less. In fact, it is the cheapest RT-PCR testing for ASF in the market.”
The highly contagious, often fatal pig disease requires quick detection to ensure rapid response and containment.
The local biotech firm is preparing its nationwide rollout, which it expects to start before the year ends.
“We want to reach out, most especially to the small producers, who do not have a biosecurity system in place that bigger farms have,” adds Destura.
MTek’s diagnostics solutions to the country’s pressing concerns include the Gen Amplify, the country’s first Philippine-developed COVID-19 RT-PCR Test Kit, and the award-winning Biotek-M DengueAqua Kit.
For more information about acquiring the test kits, go to manila-healthtek.com
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