Cervisafe To Enter Africa, India, ASEAN Markets This Year

BANGI (Selangor, Malaysia), April 21 (Bernama) -- Cervisafe, a do-it-yourself (DIY) kit for personal sampling to enhance the detection of early cervical cancer among women, will enter the African, Indian and ASEAN markets, specifically Indonesia, this year. The Managing Director of LaDIY Healthcare Sdn Bhd (LaDIY) Romli Ishak said the product by Malaysians is a test kit for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-DNA and Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC), which has received a positive response from Indonesia and countries in Africa. He said research on Cervisafe began in 2011 and received the clinical validation three years later, with commercialisation in 2015. The product also received the European Conformity (CE) certification marking, while an application has been made to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “With the certification, the company's focus this year is to formulate a strategy and penetrate the markets of Africa, India and ASEAN. “The foray into Indonesia is because there are 20,000 new cervical cancer cases detected annually in the country. “I also spoke to Indonesia’s Health Ministry and they are happy for us to enter the market there,” he told reporters here Friday. Romli had earlier attended a social innovation programme of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI). The programme is about creating awareness towards cervical cancer. Romli said LaDIY recently signed an agreement with the Hospital Muhammadiyah Group, Indonesia, which manages 200 hospitals and the launch of Cervisafe will be held after Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid-ul Fitri). “Turkey is also undertaking detailed testing of Cervisafe with regards to its sampling procedures which are very private, safe and easy. “Cervisafe costs US$68.19 (RM300). This includes the test kit, laboratory and transport costs which save time waiting at a hospital or clinic,” he added. LaDIY is among the startup companies that received Commercial Research and Development Funding (CRDF) and went on to successfully commercialise Cervisafe. --BERNAMA