Basel- August 2024- Roche announced that it is supporting the international response to the mpox global health emergency with its diagnostic tests developed for mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox, a viral disease that can spread easily between people and from infected animals, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. (14 August 2024).

Globally, Roche is partnering with governments, healthcare providers and organisations dedicated to combating the mpox outbreak. More specifically, Roche is actively working with its partners to enhance mpox laboratory capacity worldwide. In addition, Roche provides training for laboratories across the African continent at the Roche Scientific Campus in South Africa, as well as locally.

Also Read: Gavi’s Mpox Emergency Statement

“Our commitment to support the global response to mpox began in 2022 when we developed a suite of tests to enable global access to rapid and high-quality PCR testing,” said Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics. “Diagnostics are essential in addressing emerging public health challenges like mpox, as they enable healthcare providers to identify infected patients, devise effective treatment strategies and take appropriate actions.”

To detect the mpox virus, Roche developed three unique LightMix ® Modular Virus kits for use on either a LightCycler ® 480 II Instrument, LightCycler ® PRO or cobas ® z 480 Analyzer, as well as the cobas ® MPXV test for use on the cobas ® 6800/8800 Systems.