BELGIUM—Contipharma, a pharmaceutical company renowned for developing and marketing targeted medical solutions, has introduced a LAMP (Loop-mediated isothermal AMPlification) test for Mpox, previously known as monkeypox.
This rapid in vitro test, according to Contipharma, delivers critical results in just 20 minutes, a timely response following recent alarms raised by global health organizations about the rising endemic cases of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the DRC has reported the highest number of suspected clade I Mpox cases annually since 2023.
In 2024, the virus spread to neighbouring countries, including the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi.
The United Nations has reported a severe outbreak in the DRC since the beginning of 2024, resulting in over 14,000 cases and 51 deaths.
Initial evaluations conducted in Europe have demonstrated the LAMP Mpox test’s strong performance in terms of specificity and sensitivity.
To further validate these results, ongoing evaluations are being conducted in the field with the support of the Institut National de la Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in Kinshasa, DRC.
Dr. Hope Sounouvou, Pharm.D, Ph.D., Contipharma’s scientific manager, emphasized the screening kit’s efficiency.
He noted that it combines the sensitivity and specificity of a traditional PCR test with the speed of an antigen test, delivering reliable results within 20 minutes.
He also pointed out that the dry version of the test does not require a laboratory visit for authentication, making it highly accessible for use in various settings.
Contipharma’s CEO, Bernard Delhez, shared that the development of the LAMP Mpox test is the culmination of two years of research and collaboration with Professor-Doctor Jean-Jacques Muyembe of the INRB.
Delhez noted that the test is a vital tool for conducting rapid and effective screenings in the field, minimizing the need for extensive laboratory involvement.
He further explained that the Mpox LAMP test was developed in direct response to public health authorities’ concerns in the DRC.
Dr. Sounouvou added that the Mpox LAMP test would be available in a few weeks, pending the completion of the registration phase.
This rapid detection capability is crucial in preventing the further spread of the virus, especially given that Mpox symptoms can be easily confused with those of other infections such as chickenpox, measles, herpes, or syphilis.
The ability to quickly detect the Mpox virus is crucial in preventing the disease’s further spread, especially as Mpox can be easily confused with other infections like chickenpox, measles, herpes, or syphilis.
The introduction of Contipharma’s LAMP screening kit, a rapid in vitro diagnostic test, will now be a critical tool in combating the spread of Mpox.
It offers healthcare providers a swift and accurate method for identifying the virus and mitigating its impact on affected populations.
Mpox, caused by the monkeypox virus—a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus—has two distinct clades, clade I and clade II.
This endemic disease in Central and West Africa spreads through physical contact with infected people, animals, or contaminated materials.
Symptoms typically include a skin rash or lesions, fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes.
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