China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has granted emergency approval to Shanghai Fosun Long March Medical Science Co Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical (Group) Co Ltd (Stock Code: 600196.SH, 02196.HK), for its self-developed novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection kit, it was reported on Thursday.

According to the company, this kit can realise qualitative detection of novel coronavirus ORF1ab, N and E gene targets and can complete the detection of 96 samples within two hours by supporting fast nucleic acid extraction instrument and extraction reagents. It is also claimed to decrease the risk of operator infection, reduce the risk of cross contamination in the laboratory, and improve detection efficiency.

The company said that it has paid close attention to the development of the epidemic since the outbreak of COVID-19, based on its perennial provision of speedy test reagents for Type A&B flu and common respiratory viruses.