(Yicai Global) March 2 -- China's BGI Genomics has obtained a Free Sales Certificate in the European Union to sell its new Covid-19 detection kit in new markets.

The Danish Medicines Agency granted the certificate to subsidiary BGI Europe for the in-vitro diagnostic device, a real-time fluorescent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction kit, the Shenzhen-based firm said in a statement yesterday.

Shares in BGI Genomics [SHE:300676] opened nearly 7.4 percent higher but had slipped to CNY85.89 (USD12.28), a 3.67 percent gain, as of 11.11 a.m..

The kit has CE certification and the sales certificate means BGI can sell it throughout the European Economic Area and in countries outside the EEA that recognize the CE mark but have not signed a mutual recognition agreement, the statement added. Its acquisition of the license comes as more and more coronavirus cases are being identified in Europe, with a large portion in Italy.

The certificate will allow BGI to expand overseas and make the kit more competitive in the global market while helping prevent the spread of Covid-19, the firm said.

Editor: James Boynton