Roche CEO says more people have mpox in Europe than has been reported
October 23, 2024
Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker indicates that Europe has more mpox cases than publicly reported, citing Germany's first detection of the new variant. While current demand for Roche's test kits remains low, the company could immediately increase production tenfold. A further scale-up would take 6-9 months in case of a pandemic. This comes after WHO's August declaration of a global health emergency following the outbreak's spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with Sweden reporting Europe's first case of the new strain on August 15.
Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker has raised concerns about underreported mpox cases in Europe, revealing insights about both the spread of the virus and the pharmaceutical industry's preparedness to respond. This information emerged during a quarterly sales report call, highlighting the evolving nature of the mpox situation in Europe.
Key Points from Roche's Assessment:
1. Case Reporting:
- More mpox infections in Europe than currently reported in media
- Germany's recent confirmation of its first new variant case
- German health authorities maintain low risk to general population
2. Testing Capacity:
- Current demand for test kits remains relatively low
- Roche can immediately increase production by tenfold
- Further scaling would require 6-9 months in a pandemic scenario
3. Global Context:
- WHO declared a global health emergency in August
- Outbreak originated in Democratic Republic of Congo
- Spread to neighboring countries
- Sweden reported first European case of new strain on August 15
The situation highlights several important aspects of pandemic preparedness:
1. Industry Readiness:
- Diagnostic companies maintaining excess capacity
- Ability to respond quickly to increased demand
- Longer-term scaling capabilities identified
2. Surveillance Concerns:
- Potential gap between actual and reported cases
- Importance of comprehensive testing and reporting
- Need for continued vigilance in case monitoring
This information from Roche, a major player in diagnostics, provides valuable insight into both the current state of mpox spread in Europe and the industrial capacity to respond to increased testing needs. The company's ability to rapidly scale up testing capacity could prove crucial if the situation worsens, though the longer lead time for major production increases highlights the importance of early preparation and response.