August 6, 2013
Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.

Asahi Kasei Pharma launched the sale of its mycoplasma antigen kit Ribotest™ Mycoplasma on August 8, 2013. Manufacturing and marketing approval for Ribotest™ Mycoplasma was obtained in December 2012, and coverage under Japan's National Health Insurance began on August 1, 2013.

Developed jointly by Asahi Kasei Corp. and Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp., Ribotest™ Mycoplasma is a rapid diagnostic test kit to aid the diagnosis of mycoplasma infection. Ribotest™ Mycoplasma uses immunochromatography1 to enable simple testing with high specificity. The new product meets the need for a simple and rapid mycoplasma antigen test kit, as previously available methods to test for mycoplasma infection were time-consuming and required difficult manipulation. Ribotest™ Mycoplasma is thus expected to make a significant contribution to rapid diagnosis of mycoplasma infection. It will be sold by Kyokuto Pharmaceutical Industrial Co., Ltd.

Overview of Ribotest™ Mycoplasma

Measurement item: Mycoplasma antigen (qualitative)
Measurement method: Immunochromatography
Purpose of measurement: Detection of mycoplasma pneumoniae2 antigen in liquid wiped from pharynx
(aiding diagnosis of mycoplasma infection)
Measurement time: 15 minutes
Date of approval for manufacturing and marketing: December 20, 2012
Manufactured and distributed by: Asahi Kasei Pharma Corp.
Distributed by: Kyokuto Pharmaceutical Industrial Co., Ltd.

1 An immunoassay method that utilizes an antigen-antibody reaction. It enables simple determination of a positive or negative result by simple visual observation of the presence or absence of a colored line, without the need for any special equipment.

2 The bacterium that causes mycoplasma pneumonia. This disease frequently occurs in children and juveniles, characterized by fever, headache, and persistent dry coughing.

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