The World Health Organization (WHO) has granted approval for Codix Group, a subsidiary of Colexa Biosensor Ltd, to package a WHO Prequalified Rapid Diagnostic Test kit at its Nigerian facility. This approval enables Colexa Biosensor to locally package the WHO Prequalified HIV Rapid Diagnostic Test within the country.

A statement released by Codix Group on Wednesday highlighted that this milestone positions Nigeria as a significant player in advancing healthcare production and improving access to essential diagnostics. It also noted that the Standard Q HIV 1/2 Ab 3-Line Test is now the first WHO Prequalified HIV RDT to be approved for packaging in Africa, marking a historic achievement for the continent.

The statement further emphasized that this accomplishment aligns with Colexa Biosensor’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure and supports the President’s vision to boost local manufacturing and innovation. Since the factory’s launch in December 2023, Colexa Biosensor has garnered recognition from global health organizations such as WHO, the Global Fund, UNITAID, FIND, and PEPFAR. The facility’s operational capacity signifies a major step toward reducing import reliance, improving access to high-quality in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs), and enhancing Nigeria’s healthcare value chain.

The approval also opens up procurement opportunities for both Nigeria and international donors, supporting efforts to combat HIV. Codix Group expressed pride in this achievement and reaffirmed its commitment to raising healthcare standards both locally and globally. The company anticipates this milestone will encourage further investment in local healthcare production, signaling a brighter future for the industry across Africa.