Concha y Toro turns research lab into Covid-19 test centre

Chilean wine giant Concha y Toro has turned its research laboratory in Talca into a Covid-19 test centre, and has donated 50,000 litres of hand sanitizer to frontline workers.

Concha y Toro has turned its research laboratory in Talca into a Covid-19 test centre,

The molecular biology lab at Concha y Toro’s Centre for Research and Innovation has been certified by Maule University’s biomedical research lab to be able to carry out tests for coronavirus.

It has the capacity to process 2,300 samples a day. Concha has also provided equipment to other institutions to increase their diagnostic capacity.

“We want to collaborate with our capabilities to overcome this health crisis, supporting prevention and early diagnosis.

“As part of our contribution to the Private Emergency Health Fund, together with the donation of hand sanitizer to health authorities, we have made our cutting-edge technological equipment and team of professionals at our research centre available,” said Concha y Toro’s CEO, Eduardo Guilisasti.

“The organised scientific community is performing a special task to fight this pandemic. Today, our country stands out for its coordinated and decentralised Covid-19 diagnostic capacity”, said minister of science, technology, knowledge and innovation, Andrés Couve.

“In times of crisis, this type of collaboration reaffirms the value of public-private-academic partnerships in their deepest sense. I would like to thank the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Science, UCM and our employees for making this possible,” added Gerard Casaubon, director of Concha y Toro’s Centre for Research and Innovation.

Concha y Toro has also donated 50,000 litres of hand sanitizer to health authorities, including diagnostic laboratories and Ministry of Health networks.