Indonesia Completes COVID-19 QPCR Test Kit Prototype

JAKARTA - Today, Sunday, April 5, the prototype of the qPCR COVID-19 test kit made in Indonesia has been completed and is claimed to be able to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus accurately. The design and laboratory test of the test kit, named Nusantara TFRIC-19, was completed on Friday.

The development of this test kit was carried out by Nusantics as part of the Task Force for Research and Technology Innovation for Handling COVID-19 (TFRIC19) which was formed by the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT). The SARS-CoV-2 virus genomic data were used as the source of the Nusantara TFRIC-19 design.

First, they carried out a bioinformatics analysis by matching the genetic sequences of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread across the Asian continent to match the target genes. After that Nusantara TRFIC-19 pointed to two viral genes, namely the RdRP gene, where this enzyme replicates the virus and infects human cells and Gen N which protects the core of the viral RNA.

The sensitivity of the test kit was also carried out using RNA isolates from abroad because local RNA was not yet available. After this process, Nusantara TFRIC-19 was found to have detected the SARS-CoV-2 virus as the cause of COVID-19. This test kit also does not react with the SARS-CoV-1 virus or other coronaviruses.

"We tested the accuracy and validation of the prototype against Asian strains. As a result, Nusantara TFRIC-19 can identify the COVID-19 strain based on data that is already similar to the mutation prediction of Indonesian strains, "said Revata Utama as CTO Nusantara in his statement today.

Nusantics has prepared the next step to perfect the Nusantara TFRIC-19 prototype by testing the laboratory with samples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Indonesia. Currently, they are still waiting for local samples from the Health Research and Development Agency (Litbangkes).

They estimate that the Nusantara TFRIC-19 prototype will be completed within 2-3 days of obtaining samples. Local virus genomics are needed considering that this step can be a source for producing this test kit.

"After obtaining local samples, we will perform accurate validation of Nusantara TFRIC-19 with local strains. After that, we can enter the mass production stage, ”said Nusantics CEO Sharlini Eriza Putri.

The test kit developed by Nusantics is planned to be mass produced by BPPT, Bio Farma, and the Indonesia International Institute for Life Science using funds through the Indonesia Pasti Bisa movement to produce 100 thousand qPCR test kits.