Promega has been manufacturing the reagents and assays used in COVID testing for decades.  As one of the many applications of our products, these particular tools for sample prep and diagnosis of COVID-19 have been used across various kinds of virus research, and many types of life science work, for years. These tools are a small subset of the 4,000 products that Promega manufactures and distributes globally. It serves research, pharma, clinical, forensic and applied markets.  These markets use the tools for a myriad of applications for studying human health, genetic identity, pharmaceutical compounds and much, much more.

"Promega supports scientists working to understand the molecular mechanisms by which emerging viruses infect humans and animals, and to develop accurate detection methods. We provide collaborative technologies that streamline workflows and expedite the work of research labs studying coronavirus and other emerging viral diseases. Promega components currently support approximately 15 COVID-19 test kits around the world", shares Dr Rajnish Bharti, General Manager, Promega India

COVID-19 Testing Process

The testing process happens in two steps.

• STEP 1 – Prepare the sample – This means finding viral RNA from the swab, and then isolating and preserving it. Basically, finding a needle in a haystack. RNA extraction is a common practice in life sciences work.
  • Promega provides RNA extraction products.
• STEP 2 – Test for the virus – Once the viral RNA has been isolated, the next step is called RT-PCR (Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction) in order to “amplify” the specific target we are interested in, which in this case is SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Basically, we are copying the needle we found in the haystack millions of times so we can better examine it.

Promega provides catalog and custom products needed to perform the testing of virus RNA. These products are provided to labs who combine the reagents with reagents from other companies to do the testing in their labs. The reagents and combinations of chemicals are also provided to public and private diagnostic labs and test kit manufacturers, who then assemble their approved tests and further distribute them to other labs and customers.

Promega ramping up production of testing materials to address COVID-19 outbreak

Because the kind of tools required for COVID 19 are typically used in researching viruses, and universally in all types of life science work, we anticipated the increased needs as the coronavirus epidemic emerged in January. We have been scaling up our manufacturing to address the needs globally, and we have maintained continued and accelerated production since then. Much of our manufacturing capacity takes place at our headquarters in Madison, WI and we also have facilities in California, South Korea and China. In Madison, production lines that were running one shift 5 days a week are now operating 3 shifts seven days a week.

Promega began ramping up production to supply our colleagues and customers in China. We took lessons learned from those early days and continually apply them to propel us forward. Promega components currently support approximately 15 COVID-19 test kits around the world. We also provide sample preparation tools to 240 clinical labs worldwide.  We estimate we have supported more than 20 million COVID-19 tests worldwide since January. Promega India is currently receiving enquiries from multiple labs across India regarding COVID -19 testing material. However, due to increased demand at across the globe and the current lockdown situation in India, we are trying our level best to support our customers at this time . We are working closely with our Madison team to maintain the stock level of COVID -19 testing material at our Delhi warehouse.

Supporting Communities

In view of the spread of novel coronavirus in India, its declaration as a pandemic by the WHO, and the decision by the Government of India to treat this as a notified disaster, the Government of India has taken commendable actions against the spread of COVID -19. The Government announced that the PM-CARES Fund will be considered as social welfare spending under the Companies Act 2013 amid ongoing efforts to deal with the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak.

Promega Biotech India will contribute under CSR Program into the PM-CARES Fund to support the nation. This fund will strengthen disaster management capabilities and encourage research to protect citizens.

Promega India is supporting government agencies under various CSR programmes

The company has started distributing free of cost hand sanitizers to testing labs and local communities.