South African company gets R900 million to develop rapid Covid-19 test – using tobacco plants [Business Insider, 27 December 2020]

Title:

SA company gets R900 million to develop rapid Covid-19 test - using tobacco plants

 

Author:

Luke Daniel

 

Published:

Business Insider South Africa, 27 December 2020

https://www.businessinsider.co.za/business/sa-company-gets-r900-million-in-funding-to-develop-rapid-covid-19-test-using-tobacco-plant-2020-12

 

From the article:

* Nicotiana benthamiana - a plant of the tobacco variety - is being used to produce Covid-19 antibodies.

* These bio-engineered antibodies will be extracted from a laboratory in Mauritius and developed into rapid test kits and potential vaccines.

* The company leading the programme is a product of the University of Cape Town's Biopharming Research Unit.