Innovations
PCR – MakGen
Utilizing funding by the Government of Uganda (GoU) through PRESIDE, MakBRC developed a PCR kit that is used to extract viral RNA. The new product was named MakGen. It provides an estimated saving of UGX 2,500,000 for 250 Reactions.
Covid-19 RDT
Utilizing funding by the GoU through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, MakBRC developed a Rapid diagnostics test named STDSAgX Covid-19 RDT®. This is an affordable, easy to use, and rapid point of care diagnostic test platform for Covid-19 which suites remote settings of sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated to cost less than 1US$ on the market once it is commercialized.
PCR Covid-19
Proficiency Panel Through a partnership with the Supranational Reference Laboratory, MakBRC developed a PCR Covid-19 Proficiency Panel. The Panel has been distributed to select Covid-19 testing centers in Africa for free. With this discovery validation of results is possible for all the partners. This Panel has greatly improved quality assurance in these African Covid-19 testing centers
Enzyme Production
Utilizing funding from GoU through PRESIDE, MakBRC developed and purified two enzymes (Phussion DNA polymerase and Reverse Transcriptase) on a small scale. The Phussion DNA polymerase: 5’- 3’ exonuclease activity is the basis for Real time PCR and Reverse Transcriptase which is essential in making cDNA out of Viral RNA. Both these enzymes provide an estimated saving of UGX 4,000,000 per 1,000 reactions.