In April, the Beijing Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Innovation Alliance, the Zhongguancun Rende Institute for Innovation in Thoracic Disease Diagnosis and Treatment, and the China Association on Tobacco Control and Health jointly hosted the Lung Health Conference and the Fifth Forum on Innovation in Tuberculosis Prevention and Control in Boao, Hainan. The conference focused on tobacco control, lung health and screening for two diseases in a single scan. During the event, Rocgene marked several important milestones.

Strategic Partnership Signing

A Strategic Partner in the ‘One Scan, Dual Screening’ Lung Health Initiative

At the conference, Rocgene officially became a strategic partner in the ‘One Scan, Dual Screening’ lung health initiative. By contributing its technological capabilities and working with the other partners, the company aims to help strengthen lung health protection.

New Product Launch

Rocgene — iFIND IFQ

During the conference, Rocgene launched iFIND IFQ, its Mycobacterium tuberculosis Drug Resistance Gene Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR Melting Curve Method). A single cartridge simultaneously detects resistance-associated genes for isoniazid (INH) and fluoroquinolones (FQs). The product addresses a key gap in rapid molecular testing for multidrug resistance in tuberculosis sputum samples in China, providing a domestically developed POCT solution to support early identification and clinical intervention for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and pre-extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (pre-XDR-TB).

Setting a New Benchmark in Rapid Molecular Testing and Early Detection of TB Drug Resistance

Expert Symposium on Rocgene's Intelligent POCT Solutions for Tuberculosis

That afternoon, Rocgene held an expert symposium on rapid molecular testing and early detection of tuberculosis drug resistance with its intelligent POCT solutions. Clinical experts discussed the new product's clinical value and prospects for application in depth.

Li Liang, President of Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, delivered an address. He noted that progress in tuberculosis prevention and control depends on technological innovation. The Beijing Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Innovation Alliance has consistently explored and translated new technologies and methods into clinical practice. A decade ago, only a handful of tuberculosis testing technologies were available clinically, limiting improvements in bacteriological confirmation rates. Achieving the goal of ending tuberculosis will require sustained innovation. Rocgene's breakthrough in rapid testing for multidrug resistance provides further support for domestically developed diagnostic technologies.

Du Jian, Vice President of Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, also recognised the new product's clinical value. He described multidrug-resistant tuberculosis as a major clinical challenge and noted that the product provides a strong foundation for more precise treatment of patients with drug-resistant disease.

Guo Qiuzhen, Founder and Chairman of Rocgene, said that the company remains committed to continuous learning and has benefited from expert guidance and support. Although Rocgene's work in tuberculosis diagnostics is still developing, the company intends to continue advancing. The IFQ product was developed around real clinical needs and a commitment to innovation. Rocgene also plans to introduce tests that differentiate tuberculosis from nontuberculous mycobacteria, as well as NTM typing products, with continued guidance from clinical experts.

Following the opening addresses, Professor Wang Guirong, Director of the Laboratory Department at Beijing Chest Hospital, presented clinical trial data for iFIND TBR and IFQ. The two trials were conducted jointly by five clinical centres: Beijing Chest Hospital, Shandong Public Health Clinical Center, Hunan Chest Hospital, Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital, and the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University. The data showed high agreement between iFIND TBR and the Xpert MTB/RIF Assay and culture methods. IFQ testing for isoniazid and fluoroquinolone resistance also showed high agreement with conventional drug susceptibility testing and Sanger sequencing. These findings support the clinical value of combining iFIND TBR and IFQ to guide more precise treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Xu Gang, Rocgene's Marketing Director, then discussed clinical applications of iFIND tuberculosis assays on the company's innovative POCT platform. He explained the technical approach enabling the fully automated nucleic acid analysis system to perform testing at the complexity level of low-complexity automated nucleic acid amplification tests (LC-aNAATs). He also described how strict manufacturing process controls ensure consistent product quality and support traceability throughout the quality management chain. Drawing on the combined TBR and IFQ testing approach, he proposed diagnostic and treatment pathways and practical strategies.

Expert Discussion

At the close of the meeting, experts exchanged practical views based on their earlier clinical experience with iFIND TBR and the future applications of IFQ. They praised the first-run testing success rate of iFIND TBR and agreed that simultaneous detection of resistance-associated genes for isoniazid and fluoroquinolones addresses an important clinical need. The combined approach can help distinguish rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) early in the diagnostic process while covering resistance to important second-line drugs. Its straightforward operation and rapid testing are well suited to clinical workflows. Experts also highlighted opportunities for further development, including a broader range of extrapulmonary tuberculosis specimen types, improved detection of heteroresistance, and faster testing.