ICMR, Zydus launch diagnostic kits for infectious diseases
Government of India-funded Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and private sector player Zydus have announced the launch of new diagnostic kits that can help in detecting Japanese Encephalitis Virus in mosquitoes and the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in sheep, goat and cattle.
The kits are the result of the research and development conducted by ICMR along with inputs from Zydus.
Typically, most of the research done by government of India-funded scientific organizations fail to reach the market due to lack of interface with the industry, unlike this case.
Zydus said the kits target the kind of infectious diseases found in places like India. Typically, third-world diseases are neglected by large pharmaceutical companies in favor of less life-threatening conditions afflicting people in richer countries.
More kits will soon be launched with the ability to detect measles; Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus (KFDV) and Chandipura Virus (CHPV) in Humans; and the simultaneous detection of dengue and chikungunya.
The kits have been developed by ICMR's National Institute of Virology, Pune.
"The kits have been developed to detect infections in the animal population, as they often are the hosts or reservoirs, spreading the infection to humans who come in close contact with them," Zydus said.
"This public private partnership will open newer avenues for many more indigenously diagnostics for public health benefits. These technologies will enable detection of outbreaks of dangerous and lifethreatening diseases and also give a boost to the government's 'Make in India' efforts."
These kits will be manufactured and marketed by Zydus Diagnostics, a division of Cadila Healthcare based in Ahmedabad.
The kits provide results within 2.5 to 3 hours and are both highly sensitive and specific, the company said.
The kits will be available for use in public health laboratories and hospitals across India and other countries.
"In line with our mission to create healthier communities, we have always Supported initiatives in public health, making niche technologies and therapies accessible to people and bridging unmet healthcare needs. We are happy to partner with ICMR and help in being better equipped in this war against infectious disease outbreaks" said Pankaj Patel, Chairman, Zydus Group.
According to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, India witnessed 1916 cases of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) leading to 226 deaths in 2017.
The virus is transmitted through more than 15 species of Culex mosquitoes, predominantly found in rural and semi-urban settings, where humans live in close proximity to these hosts.
Timely detection of JE is a much needed public health intervention, as 1 in 4 cases can prove fatal.
One of the advantage of the new test is that the result can be obtained within four hours.
Apart from India, the Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever is also reported from Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union, throughout the Mediterranean, in North-western China, central Asia, Southern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Animal herders and livestock workers in endemic areas are at risk of CCHF.
The other fairly common vector borne infectious diseases are Kyasanur Forest Disease and the Chandipura Virus Disease, which have been posing a threat to public health with periodic lifethreatening outbreaks.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the top government body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
It is one of the oldest medical research institutions in the world.
BUSINESS FIRST ON ULTRA HEALTHCAREICMR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ZYDUS CADILATWEETWHATSAPPFACEBOOK
Zydus' cytokine inhibitor moves into clinical trial Pharmaceutical manufacturer Zydus Cadila said it received permission to initiate clinical trials for ZYIL1, an oral small molecule NLRP3 inhibitor,…
COVID-19 testing charge capped at Rs 1,600 in UP The Uttar Pradesh government has capped the maximum price chargeable by private laboratories for testing for COVID-19 at Rs 1,600…
Dixon Tech to help ramp up 'disruptive' COVID-19 test production Dixon Tech's Tirupati campus Dixon Technologies, the NOIDA-based contract manufacturer of electronics, said it has entered into a contract with…
PM CARES allocation for ventilators may fall short Even as opposition Congress Party alleges a 'ventilator scam' by the Modi government, information provided the Ministry of Health and…
Biocon, Lupin launch new drugs in USA Bicon Ltd and Lupin Ltd, two India-based pharmaceutical manufacturers, launched two drugs in the US, separately. Bangalore-based Biocon launched an…
Lupin gets USFDA nod for diabetes drug Pharma major Lupin Limited (Lupin) said it has received tentative approval from US FDA for Empagliflozin and Linagliptin tablets used…
Wipro in billion-dollar deal with Germany's Metro AG IT and outsourcing major Wipro said it will take over the IT division of Germany-based wholesaler Metro AG in a…
COVID-19 herd immunity not an option for India - Center OSD Rajesh Bhushan Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today ruled out achieving herd immunity -- developed as a result…
SpiceJet offers pre-travel COVID-19 tests to passengers SpiceJet said it has started offering a doorstep, pre-travel COVID-19 testing service to its passengers. A healthcare worker will visit…
Uttar Pradesh completes evacuation of migrant workers Yogi has flagged off several scheme to attract investment to UP The Uttar Pradesh government has completed the task of…
COVID-19 hurts IRCTC's plans; Ticket sales still down 77% Inside IRCTC's Golden Chariot | Source:IRCTC The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, which sells about 73% of India's reserved…
Delhi's real COVID-19 infection rate is 41 times higher: SeroSurvey Satyendar Jain A total of 58 lakh people are likely to have been already infected by Coronavirus by the first…
COVID-19: Dr Reddy's signs deal to make and sell favipiravir globally Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, one of India's biggest pharmaceuticals manufacturers, said it has signed a licensing agreement with Japan-based FUJIFILM to…
Thyrocare Q2 revenue up 37% on COVID-19 testing Thyrocare, one of India's leading diagnostic services providers, said its revenue has jumped substantially in the July-September quarter owing to…
COVID-19: Thomas Cook offers ultra affordable Europe vacations Eastern European cities, such as Zagreb (above) are on offer With the travel and hospitality industry reeling from the impact…
Xiaomi unveils India's cheapest full-HD & 6GB smartphone Xioami, the Chinese smartphone maker that dominates the Indian market, will tomorrow start selling the POCO M2, India's cheapest smartphone…
No cash? Get a car on 'subscription' from Maruti Suzuki Maruti Suzuki, the country's largest carmaker, has started a car subscription service in India in association with ORIX, a Japan-based…
Dr Lal PathLabs says only 0.5% of records leaked Dr Lal PathLabs, one of India's top diagnostic chains, today clarified that the leak of patient data reported in the…