Canon Medical Developing Rapid Genetic Testing System for Novel Coronavirus

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Apr 2020

Canon Medical Systems Corporation (Ohtawara, Japan) has commenced the development of a rapid genetic testing system for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The project is part of a research program focusing on the development of diagnostic methods for COVID-19 led by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

Canon Medical offers a full range of diagnostic medical imaging solutions including CT, X-Ray, Ultrasound, Vascular and MR, as well as a full suite of Healthcare IT solutions, across the globe. The company was selected to participate in the research program in cooperation with Nagasaki University. The test and the reagents developed for COVID-19 RNA testing is based on the LAMP method4) developed by Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) and are used with a compact isothermal amplified gene fluorescent detector manufactured by Canon Medical to detect the presence of virus. In comparison to the conventional test method of real-time PCR, the LAMP method allows for detection of the virus to be performed more easily and quickly, which makes it suitable for testing in local areas where infection is prevalent.