Celltrion sells coronavirus test kits to New York

Celltrion said it will export coronavirus diagnostic kits to the United States in a deal worth 210 billion won ($185.1 million).

It is the first export of testing kits from the Incheon-based drug manufacturer.

The deal was signed with New York-based Prime Healthcare Distributors, a wholesale distributor of testing kits and other health care equipment. The contract gives the distributor exclusive distribution rights for Sampinute.

Sampinute is a point-of-care testing (POCT) kit for antigens, codeveloped with local health care firm BBB. According to Celltrion, the kit is a portable device that reduces the on-site testing time to 10 minutes. It has a 94 percent accuracy which Celltrion claims is among the highest of fast-speed testing kits released in the market.

Sampinute obtained emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in late October. That allows unapproved medical products to be used in an emergency that poses a threat to public health.

BY LEE JEE-YOUNG [lee.jeeyoung1@joongang.co.kr]