UoN, DaAn Gene and Africa Lion Advisory collaborate in fight against COVID-19

A collaborative agreement among the University of Nairobi, Africa Lion Advisory (ALA) and Guangzhou Da An Gene Co. Ltd was signed on 25th March 2021. The signing ceremony was held virtually and present was the VC, Prof Stephen Kiama, Director University Advancement, Mr. Brian Ouma, ALA’s Mr. Wachira Gichu and Da An Gene executives.

The University, through the Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (UNITID) has partnered with ALA in the establishment of a COVID-19 Testing and Vaccination Center. The collaboration agreement will see the supply of COVID-19 RNA detection kits by Da An Gene Co. to the proposed center. The center will provide adequate and quality COVID-19 test kits and vaccinations to Kenyans at affordable prices.

Da An Gene Co. Ltd. is a biomedical high-tech enterprise which is led by molecular diagnostic technology and integrates the research and development, production and sales of clinical test reagents and instruments as well as the clinical test service of national chain independent medical laboratories in China.

The Guangzhou based company is one of the largest producers of the nucleic acid detection kits in China and their kits boasts of a convention capacity of 200,000 to 500,000 runs per day compared to other kits which have a capacity of 50,000 runs.