Kaneka Releases COVID-19 and Influenza Virus Simultaneous Antigen Rapid Test Kit

KANEKA CORPORATION
June 14, 2023
Kaneka Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Minoru Tanaka) has received authorization for the manufacture and sale of “KANEKA Immunochromatography Flu A/B & SARS-CoV-2 Ag”, which can test for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza virus antigens in a single sample collection. The product was launched on May 31 as an in-vitro diagnostic reagent. The product is available at a suggested retail price of 19,800 yen (for 10 tests) including tax.

This diagnostic kit uses immunochromatography*1 to detect the presence of COVID-19 and influenza virus antigens in nasopharyngeal swabs and nasal cavity swabs with high accuracy in about ten minutes, without the need for special testing equipment. In addition to its ability to handle mutated strains, the new kit is equipped with a "screw-type filter" that prevents leakage of liquid, taking operator safety into consideration. Together with the COVID-19 antigen test kit approved in 2022, this test kit is expected to contribute to medical treatment at medical institutions and safe corporate activities.

We developed the in-vitro diagnostic agent *2 using our proprietary PCR technology, and have contributed to speeding up the testing process for administrative testing at local governments and sport events. We will continue to expand our lineup of various test kits and provide solutions to solve the problems of infectious diseases, including DNA vaccine APIs and intermediates for infectious disease drugs*3.
 
*1.　Immunochromatography: A rapid testing method that uses capillary phenomena and antigen-antibody reactions. This method is exceptionally simple and speedy, capable of determining the presence of diseases in short time.

*2.
Kaneka releases a coronavirus PCR test kit that uses their original sample processing technology
https://www.kaneka.co.jp/en/topics/news/2020/ennr2010081.html

Kaneka Launches New PCR Test Kit for Identifying the COVID-19 Omicron (BA.1) and "Stealth" Omicron (BA.2) Variants
https://www.kaneka.co.jp/en/topics/news/2022/ennr2203311.html


*3.
Kaneka to Manufacture and Supply Intermediates for Shionogi COVID-19 Drug
https://www.kaneka.co.jp/en/topics/news/2022/ennr2211241.html

Kaneka Eurogentec begins supplying reagents for novel coronavirus testing
—Contracted manufacturing for vaccine development also increased—
https://www.kaneka.co.jp/en/topics/news/2020/ennr2004021.html

Kaneka expands GMP manufacturing capacity for mRNA in Kaneka Eurogentec S.A
https://www.kaneka.co.jp/en/topics/news/2023/ennr230119.html
 

＜About the product＞
KANEKA products for rapid genetic tests: www.kaneka-labtest.com/en/
For Inquiries: www.kaneka-labtest.com/en/contact-us.html
For Purchase（ASKUL Website for medical facilities）(Japanese only):
https://www.askul.co.jp/p/HN07465/


                                          
                                         
                                         KANEKA Immunochromatography Flu A/B & SARS-CoV-2 Ag