KUALA LUMPUR, 16 JULY: According to MeDKAD Sdn Bhd, the first Malaysian-made Covid-19 rapid antigen self-testing kit, Salixium Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test, would be available for public purchase on Monday. The Salixium kit can detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in human saliva and anterior nasal swab specimens, according to MeDKAD project manager Syahriah Razak.
The quick test takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and the outcome is determined by visible bands that demonstrate antigen presence.
“A pink-purplish band will develop in the test region to show the presence or absence of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in the material. No color band will show in the test location if the specimen does not contain the SARS-CoV-2 antigen, indicating a negative test result “In a statement, she stated.
“Regardless of the presence or absence of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen in the specimen, the emergence of a coloured band in the control region demonstrates appropriate flow of the material as a procedural control.”
Salixium was evaluated on a total of 242 saliva or nasal swab samples, with the results showing that the sensitivity was 91.23 percent and the specificity was 100 percent, according to the statement.
Ezuan Yaacob, the company’s chief executive officer and co-founder, said MeDKAD has its own in-house scientists and medical professionals who can not only develop their own tests but also collaborate with research institutions both locally and internationally to ensure the product’s performance.
Apart from Malaysia, MeDKAD intends to expand into other Asian, European, and Middle Eastern countries, as Salixium is widely used in France, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates, particularly in Dubai.
MeDKAD is a health technology startup established in Shah Alam, Selangor, that empowers businesses to better manage their medical benefits./n
