Jakarta, Technology-Indonesia.com – Dengue Fever (DBD) is still one of the health problems in the world, especially in subtropical and tropical areas. It continues to be the concern of health and economy. In Indonesia, DBD cases are repeated every year in almost all provinces with the number of cases and death rates still sufficiently high in some areas.
One of the keys to lowering the death rate is to detect dengue fever disease accurately using easy-to-use detection devices at affordable prices.
Currently, the DBD detection test used as gold standard is not specific for detecting DBD while the existing diagnostic kits are still imported. Consequently, the affordable dengue detection is needed.
Therefore, the Agency for Assessment and application of Technology (BPPT) search to find the solution by developing the DBD rapid test kit. The rapid test kit is based on immunocromatography technique using the anti – NS1 monoclonal antibodies developed by BPPT.
This prototype diagnostic kit innovated by BPPT has several advantages including being able to detect the early DBD infection. This diagnostic kit is easy to use with relatively fast results of 2-10 minutes. In addition, by using this kit does not need other tools and storage for refrigeration.
For the DBD rapid test kit can be produced and commercialised, BPPT signed a partnership with PT Kimia Farma (Persero) in Jakarta (17/6/2019). Yenny Bakhtiar, head of Pusyantek BPPT, representing BPPT while PT. Kimia Farma is represented by Andi Prazoz, director of Business development of PT. Kimia Farma.
Collaboration scope of BPPT – PT. Kimia Farma includes such as : the optimization of the raw material products, the functional test, management and distribution of products, and product commercially. Expected at the end of 2019, the product distribution license has been obtained from the Ministry of Health and PT. Kimia Farma hopefully can already launch this first product diagnostic kit.
