A leading Filipino virologist has said that the Philippines could produce its own diagnostic test kits for the detection of bacterial and viral pathogens.
Co-founder of the Diagnostics for the Real World, Ltd (DRW) and Balik Scientist Dr. Elpidio Cesar Nadala Jr, said he was ready to help the government address the lack of test kits in the country.
Nadala and six other Balik Scientists will be part of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.
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Nadala is a virologist and microbiologist with 20 years of experience in academic research and 17 years in the industry developing diagnostic assays for the detection of bacterial and viral pathogens.
As co-founder of the Diagnostics for the Real World, Ltd (DRW), he spearheaded the development of rapid diagnostic tests for the detection of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) surface antigen, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) antibodies, and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antibodies, as well as improved versions of the CE-marked Chlamydia rapid test.
In February 2020, his team started the development of the SAMBA II SARS-CoV-2 test for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA which was developed and validated within two months. The SAMBA II SARS-CoV-2 test is now being used in 79 hospitals and schools in the U.K with a total of 648 Assay Modules deployed and 300,000 tests used so far.
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Nadala said he wanted to “really help establish a diagnostic development unit for the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.”
The DOST has said that from 2008 to 2018, Nadala worked in the food and environmental testing industry, where he led a group of 17 Ph.D. scientists and three technicians to develop and produce cutting-edge diagnostic kits and reagents. (AW)
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