From the start of the pandemic, we have been working across our company and in partnership with others to support communities worldwide with resources and technologies to fight this evolving threat. We’ve leveraged decades of leadership in diagnostics to quickly develop and launch multiple tests for COVID 19.

In India, to help meet the demand for testing, we have launched two tests: Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 EUA test, a molecular solution featuring a broad menu of tests, including ones for infectious diseases. The platform uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, which amplifies a single piece (or few copies of a piece) of DNA to quickly and accurately diagnose a patient. The second one is the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG test that can be used for large-scale antibody testing, in line with the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) recommendation for the use of IgG tests in India for sero-surveillance. This test helps in understanding the spread of transmission in high-risk populations and provides valuable information to public health officials that can guide our COVID-19 response moving forward.

Adding to our portfolio, Abbott has launched the antiviral Favipiravir, a molecule approved under emergency use in India for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19. Initial studies have shown the efficacy of this molecule in reducing the viral load. Antiviral therapy is important during the initial stages of COVID-19 as the rate of SARS-CoV-2 replication is high, and the host immune response is limited. Abbott’s broad geographical reach in India will help with wide availability of this medicine in the country.

We’re closely monitoring ongoing developments with COVID 19 and we will continue to assess and respond to needs in the days and months ahead.