Q&M unit's PCR tests can detect Omicron variant

DENTAL group Q&M QC7 on Friday (Dec 3) announced that polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test kits developed by its subsidiary, Acumen Diagnostics, are capable of detecting Covid-positive cases of the new variant Omicron.

In addition to the Delta variant, the home-grown medical technology company's 2 PCR test kits, Acu-Corona 2.0 and Acu-Corona Duplex, can also detect Omicron.

As the PCR test kits are locally manufactured, they can be deployed quickly and more efficiently. Q&M Dental Group has highlighted Acumen's cost-effectiveness and greater self-sufficiency compared to that of its peers imported from overseas.

Acumen currently operates 2 laboratories that can process 7,000 diagnostic tests on a daily basis.

Ong Siew Hwa, executive director of Aoxin Q&M Dental, and chief executive officer and chief scientist of Acumen Diagnostics, is confident of Acumen's PCR tests in detecting the new, highly infectious variant.

She said: "With PCR tests remaining the gold standard to detect Covid-19, Acumen remains well-positioned to help Singapore tackle this new challenge posed by the virus, with our effective and affordable PCR test kits that are equipped to detect Covid-19 positive cases infected with Delta and Omicron, as well as our laboratory testing capabilities that can run 7,000 tests daily."

Acumen is a 51 per cent-owned subsidiary of Q&M and 49 per cent owned by Aoxin Q&M 1D4 . It is one of the few companies in Singapore with proprietary technology in testing for Covid-19.

Catalist-listed Aoxin Q&M acquired Acumen in early October. Acumen focuses on expanding technical capabilities in the areas of molecular diagnostics and clinical laboratory testing for infectious diseases, cancer and Covid-19.

Shares of Q&M closed at S$0.62 on Thursday (Dec 2), down S$0.015 or 2.4 per cent, before the announcement, while shares of Aoxin Q&M closed at S$0.24, down S$0.005 or 2 per cent.

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