GC MS said that it has confirmed that its rapid antigen diagnostic kit, GENEDIA W COVID-19 Ag, can detect the new Omicron variant.

Omicron variant is a virus designated as a mutation of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) after Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Gamma. The variant has 32 spike protein mutations, twice more than the Delta variant.

GC MS carried out its in-silico analysis to confirm the test efficacy of its product against the Omicron mutant virus. As a result, the company confirmed that the gene sequence of the Omicron variant disclosed by the International Influenza Information Sharing Organization (GISAID) did not affect the target region of the product.

GC MS explained it is preparing to verify the actual virus reactivity against the Omicron variant. “We will do our best to contribute to the end of the COvid-19 situation with our products that have proved to be effective in diagnosing variant viruses,” a company official said.

The company confirmed the reactivity of its diagnostic kit with the existing Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants through actual virus tests at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology in April and August.

It is exporting the product to 32 countries.