CSE’s Arsen Arakelyan Initiates Local Production of COVID-19 Tests

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YEREVAN, Armenia ‒ With the rapid spread of the coronavirus, the government of the Republic of Armenia (RA) has expressed the determination to conduct 1,000 COVID-19 tests daily. The American University of Armenia (AUA) is proud to share that, in an effort to support the government in this endeavor, Dr. Arsen Arakelyan, adjunct lecturer at AUA’s Akian College of Science and Engineering (CSE) and director of the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) of the RA National Academy of Sciences, has proposed to produce COVID-19 testing kits in Armenia. As reported by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in his live Q&A on Facebook, the government has approved the initiative and will provide financial support to IMB to carry out the local production of COVID-19 tests.

“We are allocating $550,000 to the Institute of Molecular Biology to organize the production of tests locally. Experts assure that this initiative is feasible and we will be able to organize the production of tests at the institute,” said PM Pashinyan. 

During the press conference organized by the IMB, Dr. Arakelyan stated that the local production of COVID-19 tests will be based on the diagnostic technologies recognized by international healthcare organizations. He noted that the institute is currently negotiating with several international manufacturers to purchase the materials necessary for production of the testing kits.

“There is no deficit of these materials in the world, but there is a big deficit of the testing kits themselves. Each country is trying to find solutions to meet the local demand,” noted Dr. Arakelyan.

The IMB has confirmed having the scientific and technical expertise to begin production. Most of the institute’s prior research has been based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method that will also be used in the COVID-19 diagnostic tests. 

“The development and optimization of new tests for various scientific research studies are among the daily responsibilities of the scientific personnel of the institute, and we are going to apply our skills and expertise to ensure a smooth process of production of these new tests,” affirmed Dr. Arakelyan.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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