Case study: Rapid monkeypox testing kits, national medical emergency stockpile

The Brief: Expedite supply of rapid monkeypox testing kits including commencing volume production.

The Challenge: In May 2022, many central Governments and aid organisations worldwide were moving quickly to formulate a response to the outbreak of monkeypox. The escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic was fresh in the minds of the public and health professionals alike, who were conscious about managing supply in the face of another severe risk to health.

The Solution for Supplying Monkeypox Testing Kits

Supply Source were asked to expedite commercialisation of a rapid test kit for monkeypox and to commence volume production for a European federal strategic stockpile. Within days, Supply Source assembled a team with vital experience gained during monkeypox outbreaks in Africa to complement our expertise in scaling of our COVID-19 production capabilities. This helped ensure a range of products could be developed within 3 months that were cost effective and 100% compliant.

Working to a tight specification, we used our in-house testing laboratory to evaluate suitable production-ready products from a range of contract manufacturers as well as our own production. Excellent working relationships right through the development and testing ecosystem enabled us to achieve regulatory approval for an in-vitro PCR detection test for monkeypox virus that used lesion swabs and throat swabs. We then focused on achieving the desired level of accuracy with an instant lateral flow device, suitable for personal home testing. Concurrent with these two developments, we reserved production capacity in Europe, central America and China in our own factories and pre-approved contract manufacturing. Having our own people already on the ground at point of production enabled Supply Source to physically oversee batch testing, ongoing quality control and social compliance. The geographical spread of production was key to achieving assured volume supply despite the world logistical challenges through early/mid 2022.

“  …on behalf of myself and the team, thank you.”

Project Lead, Public Health Emergency Strategic Readiness