An earlier version of this report incorrectly cited the timing of the launch of Quest’s monkeypox test. The test is available now.
Quest Diagnostics Inc.
DGX,
said Wednesday that it developed a monkeypox test that is now available. The PCR test, which is administered by a physician, can detect monkeypox and also differentiate that virus from other non-variola orthopoxviruses, the company said. Quest expects to have the capacity to do 30,000 tests a week by the end of this month. The company did not say in the news release how much the test will cost. Quest also plans to launch a monkeypox test developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in August. Quest’s stock is down 22.5% so far this year, while the broader S&P 500
SPX,
has declined 19.9%.