While waiting for the supermarkets. Faced with the spread of the Omicron variant, and a demand for tests which “explodes”, a Breton SME announced, Friday, December 24, to have increased its production capacity of screening tests, which will allow it to deliver two million kits to pharmacies between December 10 and 31. Noting that “the demand for self-tests is exploding”, the NG Biotech company, based in Guipry-Messac (Ille-et-Vilaine) south of Rennes indicates that it has increased its production “in order to best meet” the needs of population.
“Between December 10 and 31, approximately 2 million tests will be delivered to pharmacies,” said in a press release, the company which emphasizes having consequently revised its internal workforce “upwards”. Founded in 2012, NG Biotech, which has developed and manufactures test strips at its two production sites in Brittany, presents itself as the only French company capable of producing several hundred million tests entirely in France in a few months.
Up to 25 million tests per month
The company claims in particular to have a “maximum progressive production capacity of up to 25 million tests per month and more if necessary”. NG Biotech employs 160 people against 30 employees at the time of the first wave of Covid-19 in March 2020. During the pandemic the company built a second site in Guipry-Messac.
While sales of self-tests explode for the end of the year celebrations, the supermarket chains would also like to be able to offer them. Currently, only pharmacies are authorized to sell it, at a capped price of 5.20 euros.
Thursday, December 23 on Franceinfo, the CEO of the Leclerc group Michel-Édouard Leclerc regretted this situation. “We have it in stock, but we do not have the right to sell it”, he lamented, denouncing “regulations which date from another era”.
>> To read also – In turn, Intermarché is asking for authorization to sell self-tests
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