Microbioz India : May 2021 Healthcare Edition

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

48
19

49 10
30

Cover Story 10

Diagnostic Innovations Catalysing Higher Quality of Life

Featured Article 14

Take a look at blood with analysis machines

Business News 18

Mitra Launches India’s First Covid-19 Neutralizing Antibody Test

Product Launches 44

Bio-Rad Launches the SEQuoia RiboDepletion Kit for Next-Generation
Sequencing

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

rom eliminating diseases to detecting and curbing outbreaks,
diagnostics play many essential roles in global health. Successful
health care delivery requires effective medical devices as tools for
prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation. Despite the
exponential growth of scientific and technological development,
low- and middle-income countries are still largely excluded from
access to appropriate and affordable health technologies.

The cover story of this month titled: “Diagnostic Innovations
Catalysing Higher Quality of Life” authored by Jatin Mahajan, is the
Managing Director of J Mitra & Company – a global leader in in-vitro
diagnostics which has the highest number of patents in India.

Healthcare is an aspect that transcends society across regions,
geographies, social-strata, cultural, age and time-period
considerations. Every human being yearns for the best possible
health condition and long life. Changing lifestyles are causing
increase in conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases.

These numbers are huge, but if we look at the statistics, we would
realise that the number of deaths in each of these disease
categories has declined significantly in the past 3-4 decades.

The edition has a featured article entitled “Take a look at blood with
analysis machines” contributed by Maxon precision motor, which
is a tool based study of Stago, is a French company that specializes
in analysis instruments for hemostasis diagnostics, in other words
for testing blood clotting. Around 20,000 devices of Stago are in
use across the world – including the StarMax.

Dear subscribers, we could not imagine anything better than to
have your essential criticism and proposals since they help us to
concoct much better material each time. For any suggestion and
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Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Cover Story

Diagnostic Innovations

Catalysing Higher Quality of Life

Healthcare is an aspect that transcends These numbers are huge, but if we look at the
society across regions, geographies, statistics, we would realise that the number of
social-strata, cultural, age and time- deaths in each of these disease categories has
period considerations. Every human declined significantly in the past 3-4 decades.
being yearns for the best possible health condition
and long life. Changing lifestyles are causing The decline in the number of these diseases can
increase in conditions like cancer, diabetes, and also be attributed to the growth of the diagnostic
heart diseases. services, through imaging, ultrasound, radiology,
and pathology laboratories.
The top diseases in India (and the number of People now are opting for early wellness testing and
deaths they affect each year) are – diagnosis as it increases the chances of a positive
outcome, saving lives and cost of further treatment.
 Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) – 15.4 lakhs Diagnostics are the first line of defence towards
 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease better health and fitness. It is the backbone for
ascertaining the ailments and deciding on the
(COPD) – 9.6 lakhs correct course of treatment, surgery, and
 Malignant and other tumours – 7.8 lakhs medication. 70 per cent of the medical decisions are
 Stroke – 7.3 lakhs based on diagnostics. The diagnostics segment has
 Diarrheal Diseases – 7.2 lakhs witnessed tremendous changes in the past 20 years.
 Respiratory Diseases – 5.1 lakhs There has been a movement of sorts with digital &
 Tuberculosis – 4.5 lakhs technology innovations driving growth in the
 Malaria – 3.4 lakhs diagnostics industry.
 Diabetes Mellitus – 2.5 lakhs

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 10

Cover Story Advancements in technology has ensured that the
machines are less complex, smaller in sizes and
“The healthcare industry, in portable. This has resulted in usage of many of
these devices in patient homes and point-of-care,
India, is gradually moving even in remote regions, enabling treatment of
towards its goal of catalysing a patients away from medical facilities. Quicker
higher quality of life for the access to affordable diagnostics ensures faster and
patients.” better treatment. Early detections result in lesser
discomfort for the patients – both resulting in
The average life expectancy of an Indian has tremendous cost savings while improving the
increased from 52.5 years (1980) to 61.5 years quality of living. Advancements like robotics have
(2000) to 69.3 years (2020). This is a huge victory ensured that more and more complex surgeries can
for the Indian healthcare system, and a major be undertaken by the doctors in lesser timeframes
contributor to this positive change has been the and with a much higher level of efficiency and
emergence of the Indian diagnostics segment. The accuracy, reducing duration of hospital-stay,
diagnostics industry has played a tremendous role catalysing patient comfort and decreased stress.
in the monitoring and early detection of various
life-threatening diseases. Early detection means There are a plethora of wearable monitoring
that these diseases can be tackled and treated in the devices and self-use devices that screen various
earliest possible phases, when they have relatively healthcare parameters – patients can take charge of
lesser negative impact on the human body, and their health in the own homes and regularly
when they are easier to treat, and cure. monitor critical health parameters. Many of these
can also be monitored by the doctors remotely.
Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a central These devices have reduced the visits to the
concept for understanding the outcomes of hospitals and monitoring centres to a fraction of
medical care. earlier visits – reducing discomfort, stress, anxiety,
cost, and time-involvements. It also reduces the
Over the past 4-5 decades, improvements in burden on these medical establishments, and they
diagnostic and therapeutic options have positively can, in-turn focus on more critical patients.
impacted healthcare, and we are experiencing an
explosion of innovations designed to improve life As the industry grew, it has heralded a major impact
expectancy and quality of life. on the overall healthcare industry in the country.
Most of these innovations are focused on the
development of new diagnostic procedures, or The involvement of more and more medical
medical devices like stents, precise diagnostic devices across the entire range of health care has
scanners, and surgical robots. catalysed

Diagnostic services play a vital role in spotting the  Accurate diagnostics and targeted
health problems and catalysing informed medical treatment
interventions with higher integrity due to evidence-
backed decisions.  Reduced the duration of hospital-stay
This has had a domino effect on the overall  Better healthcare outcomes
healthcare and quality of life for the patients.  Increased access to patient care
Screening & Diagnostics have improved  Reduced burden on existing medical
remarkably, with increased complexity and
accuracy of the diagnostics. resources
 Cost reductions
 Higher peace of mind
 Lessor discomfort
 Wider spectrum of coverage of healthcare

available to the masses

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 11

Cover Story and remote areas require, from the village up till
district level.
Recognising the urgent need to improve the NEDL would enable improved health care services
availability of accessible and quality diagnostics in delivery through evidence-based care, improved
public health facilities, Government of India under patient outcomes and reduction in out-of-pocket
the aegis of National Health Mission (NHM) expenditure; effective utilisation of public health
launched the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative facilities; effective assessment of disease burden,
(FDI) in July 2015. disease trends, surveillance, and outbreak
identification; and address antimicrobial resistance
“Indian diagnostics solutions crisis.
Diagnostics serve a key role in improving health
are one of the best in the and quality of life. Equitable accessibility,
world, in terms of quality, affordability and appropriate use of good quality
diagnostics are integral to high quality health care.
precision and affordability.” Accurate diagnostics are indispensable for effective
management of diseases, leading to better patient
Under this initiative, the NHM supports all states care and clinical outcomes, increase affordability by
to provide essential diagnostics – laboratory and reducing overall therapy cost and reduce
radiology at their public health facilities, free of antimicrobial resistance.
cost. Indian diagnostics solutions are one of the best in
In August 2019, the Indian government also the world, in terms of quality, precision and
introduced the National Essential Diagnostics List affordability. And the Indian diagnostics
(NEDL) which aims to bridge the regulatory gap manufacturers are making more and more efforts
that do not cover all the medical devices and in- to make them more and more cost effective, as well
vitro diagnostic device (IVD). as accessible even in the remotest corners of the
country.
With this, India has become the first country to The healthcare industry, in India, is gradually
compile such a list that would provide guidance to moving towards its goal of catalysing a higher
the government for deciding the kind of diagnostic quality of life for the patients.
tests that different healthcare facilities in villages
About Author:

The author, Jatin Mahajan, is the Managing Director of J Mitra &
Company – a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics which has the
highest number of patents in India. He is an astute business
catalyst & change agent, and a key healthcare industry influencer.
He is a decorated patent holder himself.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 12

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Featured Article

Take a look at blood with analysis
machines

High-tech machines Precision on three axes
analyze human
blood samples, StarMax was introduced to the market in late 2014.
detect coagulation disorders Yet Stago developed its first analysis device with an
and thus help to save lives. X-Y-Z-axis robot as early as 1991. Even back then,
The maxon sales company in mdp, maxon motor’s sales company in France, was
France does not only supply on board.
the appropriate drives – in Therefore, the drive specialist was contacted again
fact, it builds entire conveyor during the first development phase of StarMax, to
modules. A peek inside. clarify the most important questions: How can
Our blood is a fascinating precise movement be achieved on all three axes?
fluid. It transports oxygen How can the reagents be pipetted fully
and nutrients, fends off automatically? “In the end, mdp used their vast
foreign objects and closes experience to adapt their standard products to
wounds. At least in normal match our requirements,” says Jean-Francois Gelin,
cases. Some people, however, Project Manager Innovation and R&D at Stago.
suffer from coagulation “Additionally mdp and maxon contributed their
disorders. These cases are specialized know-how and gave us valuable tips.”
unpleasant for the patient and can have severe
consequences – or even lead to death. This is why
early detection of a blood disorder and the hunt for
a cure are so important. This requires a lot of
testing. Analysis devices in laboratories and
hospitals run around the clock and are able to
autonomously pipette samples to deliver quick
results. Such industrial automation equipment has
to work with high accuracy and reliability. This
places high demands on all components and the
developers.

Fully automated blood analysis

Stago is a French company that specializes in
analysis instruments for hemostasis diagnostics, in
other words for testing blood clotting. Around
20,000 devices of Stago are in use across the world
– including the StarMax.
This fully automated analysis system is equipped
with a three-axes robot and offers space for 215
samples and 1,000 test containers. The machine
works autonomously, checks the results, compares
them and monitors the processes. This saves the
biologists and technicians a lot of time. Therefore,
the device is particularly suitable for laboratories
with a large sample volume.

«mdp and maxon contributed their specialized know-
how and gave us valuable tips. »

Jean-François Gelin, Project manager at Stago

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 14

Featured Article

Easy motor control

The cooperation has now become so close that
mdp assembles the complete conveyor system for
the pipette racks in its own production facilities in
Neyron and ships it to Stago for final assembly.
Various types of the A-max DC motor by maxon
are used for the movements of the rack.

The diameters vary between 16 and 26 millimeters. Maxon A-max 22 DC motor This brushed drive
The DC motors are highly dynamic and easy to with 6 W of power offers excellent value for
control. Additionally, mdp installs matching money.
planetary gearheads to generate the required
torques. The maxon sales company therefore is not
only a drive specialist, but also an expert in the
fields of mechatronics and automation.

“Our company slogan – Motors, Maxon GP 22 gearhead This planetary gearhead
with a diameter of 22 mm provides the necessary
Systems, Solutions – reflects that,” torque for the application.
says Alain Pontille, Managing
Director at mdp. “We work very This worked very well for Stago. “When we started
closely with our customers and developing hemostasis analysis machines, hardly
anybody believed in our success,” says Jean-
jointly create solutions that make François Gelin of Stago. Today the company has
their products an economic more than 2,100 employees and delivers its high-
end products to more than 110 countries.
success.”
For additional information, please contact:
Maxon precision motor India Pvt Ltd

Niran Arcade, No.563/564, 2nd Floor, New BEL Road, RMV II stage,
Bangalore- 560 094,Phone: 91 80 41734132
E-mail: [email protected],Web site: www.maxonmotor.in
Image ©maxon motor

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 15

Research News

ISRO adds to India's COVID-19 battle with low expense,
progressed ventilators and oxygen concentration

P an-India Representative Picture, source: Pixabay
lockdown, local
government “All of the medical equipment have been
limitations and the new
normal of work from developed and designed to WHO criteria,
home (WFH) haven't our testing and quality teams worked with
deterred India's greatest doctors for evaluating the devices. The
brains working in the electronic equipment, controls, software,
Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO). circuits, ventilators and oxygen
concentrators are all developed in house
The first and second by our young scientists, but we'll be giving
waves of the pandemic it free to the industry for mass fabrication.
have influenced the This technology is going to be handed
schedule of the core over to competent industries and many
space-related activities at have approached us, so it's expected to
ISRO. But even while
working at home, ISRO's be ready in a week's time.”
scientists have been
immensely contributing to the country's COVID- As India's lead center for building rockets and
19 fight by developing crucial medical equipment relevant technology, VSSC has the distinction of
such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators and much having engineers from across domains. It was this
more. wide-ranging engineering experience, coupled with
immense knowledge of design, materials,
Dr S Somanath, Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space mechanics and software that made these
Center (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, described indigenous developments possible within a brief
the in-house medical technologies that are prepared span.
for business adoption, free of charge.

Under the series'Prana', three variants of ventilators
which are fitted with displays and controls, have
been developed by the ISRO teams from VSSC,
based on modifications to existing designs and also
based on their own unique, patented designs. The
first one is similar to the AMBU-bags (artificial
manual breathing unit), but this homegrown variant
can deliver a good amount of pressure and volume,
thanks to its unique design and suitable actuation
system.

A high-end ventilator, with pneumatic regulation
(controlled by air under pressure) has also been
developed by this group and this offering is
believed to cost nearly Indian rupees 100,000,
which is just about half or one-third the price of
comparable industry offerings.

Using compressed air and certain other
technological features, it can facilitate the inhale-
exhale cycle.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 16

Research News Ours is exceptionally inspired work culture, it's not
only about building rockets, we are ready to take on
Regardless of the technology of oxygen any challenge with our enthusiasm and ideas," Dr
concentrators being well-known and established, a S. Somanath states with pride.
huge majority of the oxygen concentrators used in
India are imported ones. Hence, ISRO The Indian government-run space agency has also
concentrated on engineering with a special been providing liquid oxygen to state governments
technology that absorbs nitrogen (the biggest in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, in their
constituent gas) in the air using molecular manufacturing facilities or from existing stock. It is
absorption. important to remember that liquid oxygen, called
(Lox) in aerospace parlance, is an essential resource
To put it simply, the air is pumped through a for any modern space service, as it is used as an
chemical pillar, which absorbs the nitrogen and oxidizer in cryogenic engines that power big
gives oxygen of around 95 percent purity. This rockets.
equipment can function non-stop for up to a year,
following which the compound used in the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in
absorption process (which is available in the Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu, which is responsible for
market) will have to be replaced. the creation of cryogenic fuels has been supplying
liquid oxygen into the state authorities in Tamil
With the capacity to provide 10 litres of oxygen per Nadu and adjoining Kerala.
minute, it may simultaneously provide support for
two regular patients or a single crucial patient. The Our daily production capacity was 2.5 tons, but
prototype of the variant is currently in operation at we've progressively climbed up to 11 tons per day
the VSSC hospital and it is expected to cost no by working round-the-clock with more staff.
more than INR 50,000. Around 20 tons of Lox stored at our spaceport in
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh has also been supplied
"This medical equipment are not under our field of to the state government," Dr K.Sivan, Chairman,
work, it requires a deep understanding of human ISRO told WION.
physiology, breathing process etc.. Such devices
aiding respiration must be able to sense, sync with ISRO has also provided the large capacity fuel
unique breathing patterns and assist doctors in tanks in their facilities to be repurposed and used
saving lives. So, our young engineers, most of as stores of liquid oxygen in various states. These
whom are in their 20s and 30s studied the concept tanks serve as a hub for mass storage of liquid
and explored the processes to make this happen. oxygen, after which they can be distributed to the
health care facilities in the region.
It was a collaborative effort between several teams
largely working from home and partly from labs,
under the guidance of seniors and technicians.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 17

Business News

J Mitra Launches India’s First Covid-19
Neutralizing Antibody Test

J Mitra & Company, the global leader in the 4.The presence of neutralizing antibodies
IVD space, has launched India’s first Covid-
19 Neutralizing Antibody Microlisa Elisa highlights protective immunity against viral
Test its ongoing fight against the corona
pandemic. The test kit has cleared all government infections
parameters and received all necessary approvals,
including Drug Controller General of India 5.Identify individuals with high levels of
(DCGI) & successful product validation.
Virus neutralization remains the gold standard for neutralizing antibodies as potential candidates for
determining antibody efficacy. Covid-19
Neutralizing Antibody Microlisa Elisa Test is the plasma donation to severely infected
first commercial laboratory test to detect
neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the COVID patients.
virus that causes Covid-19. The test kit will help
highlight the efficacy of the vaccines on the human Speaking on the launch, Chairman of J Mitra &
body and the development of the antibodies to
fight the virus and help identify potential plasma Co Lalit Mahajan said,
donors. The test kit has high sensitivity (> 95%)
and Specificity (100%). “The Covid-19 Neutralizing Antibody Microlisa test is critical
to our fight against the corona pandemic because it not only
The test identifies individuals who have had recent showcases how effective the vaccination has been against
or prior infection with SARS-CoV-2. Detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus but also helps in identifying possible
neutralizing antibodies helps us identify its plasma donors.”
significance for patients as we continue the fight
against COVID-19. Focusing on the performance of the test, Jatin
Mahajan, Managing Director, shared,
J Mitra- Covid 19 Neutralizing Antibody Microlisa
“The test kit has high sensitivity (> 95%) and Specificity
The Benefits: (100%). It has a shelf life of 12-months; is easy to use; and
provides high throughput of 92 tests in 75 minutes.” He
1.Assist in the tracking of infection chains further added, “We already have four other products in the
2.Answer epidemiological, virological, and clinic global fight against Covid-19 – our COVID-19 [IgM, IgG, IgA]
questions, including, but not limited to, whether a MICROLISA Elisa test kit is one of the best kits available in
robust antibody response has occurred. the Indian market. We also manufacture the ICMR-NIV
3.Answer how many infected individuals have developed COVID KAWACH IgG MICROLISA Covid-19 test
remained asymptomatic. kit. To go with these two test kits, we also developed two
Covid Test readers to make India self-reliant and
empowered to fight against Corona. We will continue our
aggressive R&D against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and help in
the global fight against the pandemic.”

The test kit is based on the blocking Elisa Principle
& designed for in-vitro semi-quantitative detection
of neutralizing antibodies developed against SARS-
CoV-2 in human serum/ plasma that prevent the
interaction between receptor binding domain viral
spike glycoprotein (RBD) and cell surface receptor
angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2).
Neutralizing antibodies are produced within the
human immune system and stop infections through
incapacitation of the invading pathogen. Virus
neutralizing antibodies directly inactivate a virus by
Blocking cell entry, replication, or other vital
function.

For further information, please contact:

Prasun Peter @ 9811279008,
[email protected]
www.jmitra.co.in

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 18

Business News

HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru successfully operates on a
patient with ‘Congenital Hemophilia’ a rare life-threatening
blood disorder

HCG Cancer Hospital has successfully When Dr. Sachin analyzed his case, he immediately
treated a 49-year-old young man suffering proceeded with further evaluation.
from Hemophilia, a rare life-threatening As per Dr. Sachin Jadhav, Group Head of
blood disorder who had developed a massive Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant,
tumor near his abdomen. Dr. Sachin Jadhav along HCG Cancer Hospital, "This was an extremely
with Dr. Pramod Chinder and Dr Indushekar’s challenging and complex case as the patient was
team successfully performed the procedure. Due suffering from a rare condition ‘Congenital
to his pre-existing Hemophilia, the procedure to Hemophilia’.
remove the tumor was extremely challenging. The
entire treatment cost was borne by Govt. of India Dr. Sachin Jadhav, Group Head of Hematology and Bone Marrow
with the support of Govt. of Karnataka and ESI Transplant, HCG Cancer Hospital
Hospital routed through Hemophilia Society
Bangalore Chapter. In people with hemophilia, there is a deficiency of
Satish (name changed) a patient from Kengeri was plasma products which helps in stopping blood
presented with a massive tumor near his abdomen loss. Factor 8 and factor 9 help in clotting the blood
at HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru. He was so that they do not suffer excess blood loss. In a
suffering from a rare condition ‘Congenital hemophilic patient, this product is absent.
Hemophilia’ which is caused by a deficiency in
clotting of the blood. This is a rare, chronic,
inherited bleeding disorder caused by the deficiency
of clotting factors VIII (hemophilia A) or IX
(hemophilia B), and over time may cause damage
to the joint’s leading to recurrent joint bleeding.
This is gender-linked and predominantly affects
males.
In the case of Satish, he had severe hemophilia,
usually 40% factor is required for the human body
to function whereas he had less than 1%. At the age
of 12 he was diagnosed with this disease and had
lost his two brothers due to the same condition.
Due to this condition his life was also under threat
and the treatment for hemophilia is lifelong.
In 2018 he developed a small tumor on his back for
which he underwent surgery. In 2020 the same
tumor developed and started growing. This tumor
was due to internal bleeding and blood kept on
accumulating forming an enormous 29cms swelling
in his left abdomen. Satish consulted other private
hospitals that rejected his case due to the severity.
Later he decided to seek medical advice at ESI after
which he was referred to HCG Cancer Hospital
Bengaluru.
The swelling was like an ice burg; the visible part
was just 5cms but the MRI revealed that the
swelling was spreading internally very massively &
the right side of his abdomen was almost replaced
by blood. Satish initially consulted an orthopedic
doctor who later referred him to Dr. Sachin Jadhav.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 19

Business News Speaking about the complexity of the case Mr.

So, in case of an injury, these patients may Pemroop Alva, General Secretary,
experience excessive bleeding or may even bleed to
death. Factor replacement is created to artificially Hemophilia Society Bangalore Chapter said
supplement what is not there in the body. Once
these factors are diagnosed and the patient is “Mr. Satish's case very was complicated and we
known for a factor deficiency, then according to
their bleeding tendencies, the factors are replaced have handled very few cases like his successfully in
so that the patient does not bleed abnormally."
In the case of Satish, his swelling was made of the past.
blood which is called as pseudo tumour. The
tumour had arteries feeding into it. When a We are grateful towards Dr. Sachin and the entire
hemophilia patient is given with factor 8, inhibitors
may developed. Patient with hemophilia A or B can team of HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru, for
develop inhibitors, which prevent their factor 8 or
9 replacement treatment from working to form a taking up this case and handling it successfully.
clot to stop bleeding.
On evaluation Satish was found to have inhibitors. Dr. Pramod S Chinder, Director & Head of the Department-
Hence he needed a special medicine called FEIBA Orthopedic Oncology, HCG Cancer Hospital
(Factor eight Inhibitor bypass activity) during
surgery. Another challenge was that the drug was We are truly impressed by the multidisciplinary
not available in India and had to be shipped from focused approach adopted by the team. We are
abroad. confident and believe that together we will make
Before proceeding with the massive surgery to our Hemophilia community better. Wishing more
remove the pseudotumor, a procedure called successful endeavors to the entire team”.
embolization had to be performed. Embolization is Mr. Satish, the patient said “I would like to thank
performed by placing a small catheter inside the the entire team of specialists at HCG Cancer
blood vessels that supply the area that is bleeding. Hospital Bangalore, without them my life would
Carefully navigating the catheter, under image not be the same. I had no hope for the future. But
guidance, to the safest and farthest point, a variety the doctors here at HCG gave me the best care and
of different materials can then be used to block the treatment. This is a second life for me, and I am
bleeding vessels. Dr. Indushekar and team extremely happy to be leading a better life”.
worked on this process. This reduced the risk of
excessive bleeding during the surgery which was About HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.
planned for the next day. The next day the surgery HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd. (HCG), is one of the
was performed by Dr. Pramod Chinder and team largest providers of cancer care in India. Through its network
which lasted for 7 hours. of 22 comprehensive cancer centers across India and Africa,
Dr. Pramod S Chinder, Director & Head of the HCG has brought advanced cancer care to the doorstep of
Department- Orthopedic Oncology, HCG millions of people. HCG’s comprehensive cancer centers
Cancer Hospital says, “This is the biggest tumor provide expertise and advanced technologies required for
we have operated of this hemophilia condition. It the effective diagnosis and treatment of cancer under one
was a huge tumor that kept on bleeding to itself and roof. Under the “Milann” brand, HCG operates 7 fertility
led to the decrease in hemoglobin which was highly centers. Strand Life Sciences, an associate company of
challenging while operating the patient. The HCG, is a precision diagnostics company with strong track
bleeding was uncontrollable and was threat to life record in bioinformatics and a pioneer of genomic testing in
of the patient. We were extra cautious and prepared India.
during the surgery to face any complications. With
the support of Dr. Sachin and multidisciplinary
team approach we were able to successfully
perform the surgery.”
Post the surgery the patient was kept under
observation for a couple of days and two drains
were put, to keep a count on the blood loss.
The patient recovered well without any
complications and has been discharged from the
hospital. He is now leading a normal life.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 20

Business News

Healthcare leader Dr Trust Announces New Addition to Senior
Leadership Team

Nureca Limited, owner of the leading communications skills will ensure that Dr Trust
healthcare and wellness brand Dr Trust, is enjoys continued success, leads the health and
pleased to announce the appointment wellness sector and is well positioned to take on
of Rohit Saini as its new Vice President of Sales new opportunities.”
and Marketing. Rohit brings to the position a Additionally, Rohit’s extensive sales background
wealth of knowledge and an array of experiences in and business development skills should help Dr
the consumer healthcare industry. Trust strengthen channel partnerships, develop
Prior to his current role, Rohit was the General strategic alliances, expand our global and national
Manager Sales and Marketing (India and Sri Lanka) sales presence and team building.”
at Omron Healthcare India Pvt. Ltd. During his “I am very excited to be a part of the Nureca
tenure, Rohit successfully lead a team of Sales and leadership team”, said Rohit Saini. “I look forward
Marketing professionals across the Indian market. to building upon the company’s current successes
and focusing on growing revenue rapidly.”

He was responsible for India Subcontinent P&L About Nureca Limited - Dr Trust Nureca Ltd is a leading
growth strategy with distribution of the KPIs, he healthcare and wellness company offering a wide range of high-
also devised ‘Above the Line’ and ‘Below the Line’ quality home health medical devices and wellness products under
marketing strategies along with a 360-degree the brand “Dr Trust”. Their products comply with USFDA, European
integrated marketing approach for Omron CE, ROHS and ISO, the company has more than 100 design
Healthcare. Rohit is 40 years old and brings over 19 patents. Nureca is a digital first B2C company and sells through all
years of experience. He has also served Coca Cola, major e-commerce channels and its own website drtrust.in Dr Trust
Barry Callebaut, a Swiss Multinational and Ferrero is a pioneer in health and wellness with patented technologies and
India. innovative solutions, helping users monitor chronic ailments. Some
Aryan Goyal, CEO and Co-founder of Nureca, of its major products include:
says he and Managing Director Saurabh Goyal, are 1. Chronic disease monitoring devices like oximeters, bp
delighted to have Rohit join Dr Trust. “Rohit’s monitors, glucose self-monitoring devices, oxygen concentrators
background in sales, customer management, and infrared thermometers
merchandizing, business development and research 2. Orthopedic Products like Electric massagers and Rehabilitation
coupled with his outstanding interpersonal and products
3. Lifestyle products like Smart Scales, Fitness Trackers and
Aroma diffusers
4. Mother and Child care including Breast pumps, Bottle
sterilizers, Car seats etc
5. Nutrition supplement

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 21

Business News

DRDO Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, with the support
of 5C Network & HCG Academics develops ‘Atman AI’ for COVID
detection in Chest X-rays

DRDO Centre for Given the limited testing facilities for coronavirus,
Artificial Intelligence there is a rush to develop AI tools for quick analysis
and Robotics, with using x-rays. The tool will help in automatically
the support of 5C Network & detecting radiological findings indicative of Covid-
HCG Academics has 19 in seconds, enabling physicians and radiologists
developed “ATMAN AI”, an to more effectively triage the cases, especially in an
Artificial Intelligence algorithm that emergency environment.”
can detect the presence of COVID- Mr. Kalyan Sivasailam - CEO 5C network, said
19 disease in Chest X Rays. The “We are excited to develop Atman AI for COVID
ATMAN AI is an artificial detection in Chest X-rays. Utilizing the algorithms
intelligence tool for Chest X- for chest X-ray is an effective triaging tool which
ray screening as triaging tool in can be accessible to the common man in remotest
Covid-19 diagnosis which is a districts of this country. This will have a significant
method for rapid identification impact on timely care and appropriate treatment.”
and assessment of lung
involvement. This will be utilized by 5C Network, Speaking about the initiative Dr. Vishal Rao -
India’s largest digital network of Radiologists, with Dean Academics -Centre of Academic
support of HCG Academics across India. Research, HCG Cancer Hospital, said “We are
extremely delighted to have partnered with DRDO
Triaging COVID suspect patients using Xray is to support and conceive this novel initiative. This
fast, cost effective and efficient. It can be a very will help to reassure vulnerable health care workers
useful tool especially in smaller towns in our and improve efficacy in hospitals without
country owing to lack of easy access to CT scans. increasing the financial burden for patients and
This will also reduce the existing burden on healthcare systems. Furthermore, similar methods
radiologists and make CT machines which are can be used to assess predominant respiratory
being used for COVID be used for other diseases diseases affecting the vulnerable population and
and illness owing to overload for CT scans. The programs initiated which will decelerate the burden
novel feature namely “Believable AI” along with of disease on the Govt and the community.”
existing ResNet models have improved the
accuracy of the software and being a machine With the ongoing second wave of infections, this
learning tool, the accuracy will improve continually. application can help with a more directed and
Chest X-Rays of RT-PCR positive hospitalized focused approach. 5C Network, which is
patients in various stages of disease involvement connected to over 1,000 hospitals across India, will
were retrospectively analyzed using Artificial now make ATMAN available to state-run and
Intelligence [Deep Learning & Convolutional private hospitals.
Neural Network] models by an indigenously
developed deep learning application by CAIR-
DRDO for COVID -19 screening using digital
chest X-Rays. The algorithm showed an accuracy
of 96.73%.

Speaking about the initiative Dr. U K Singh,
Director, CAIR, DRDO said “The development
of ATMAN, an Artificial Intelligence based
diagnostic tool for Chest X-ray screening is a part
of DRDO’s effort to help clinicians and partners
on the front line to have the tools they need to
rapidly diagnose and effectively treat COVID-19
patients.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 22

Business News The HCG group also has international presence with
Hospitals & Clinics in Middle East and Africa. All the centres
This novel initiative has been conceived with the of the HCG together have a capacity of 2000+ inpatient
support of HCG Academics, which has been the beds. HCG Academics select Undergraduate courses, Post
academic partner, and the association of healthcare Graduate Courses and Fellowships in various sub-
providers (India) - AHPI, & Ankh Lifecare. specialties of Oncology. It has a student base of more than
200 students. Besides the Centre curates, develops and
About HCG Academics: delivers several CME courses and also organizes seminars,
HCG Centre for Academics and Research (HCG Academics conferences and conclaves on various topics of interest to
in short) is the Academics and Research division of HCG serve the community of Oncologists and Nurses in India and
Hospitals. abroad.
HCG Hospitals comprises of chain of Hospitals and Clinics
offering specialized services in the field of Oncology.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 23

Business News

MediGence Launches Telemedicine to make Virtual Care for
Critical Conditions Accessible, Simple and Secured

Critical Care Consultations promise to be easier than ever before.

MediGence is proud tolaunchthe

Telemedicine

platform on May 4, 2021.

Telemedicine is a virtual care

medium that has made it

possible for you to consult with

doctors from Dubai, Turkey,

Spain, India, Thailand,

Lithuania, and the US from the

comfort of your home. It is a

forward looking consulting

solution that will give a huge

impetus to the efforts to bring

healthcare closer home.

Telemedicine has been

launched by MediGence, a

medical travel company

helping people discover high quality treatment. It It encourages healthcare to become personalised
and within easy reach for everyone,” Mr. Amit
helps you in both reconfirming the diagnosis and in Bansal, Founder & CEO, MediGence said.
About MediGence
the effort to seek a second opinion. This virtual Founded in 2016, MediGence is a technology
driven global platform to find and leverage the
consultation medium is simple and user friendly. As best-in-class overseas medical treatment options
for a memorable patient care experience.
a user, you need to go through only a few steps to Following our brand statement ‘Enabling Better
Healthcare Decisions’, we are focused on
get the guidance you need from the doctor of your empowering our medical travelers to take the right
healthcare decision using technology and create a
choice. better experience for their treatment overseas.
We provide 24*7 Assistance with extended support
1 Search the Doctor by Speciality / Location / for Medical Travel in over 20+ Countries.
Media Contact:
Name Name: Ms. Umang
Email: [email protected]
2 Select the Doctor for the consultation Contact No.: +91-8802349929

3 Select the Date and register

4 Upload the documents securely

5 Pay online
6 Consult with the Doctor
“Telemedicine launched by us at MediGence is
revolutionising the access to healthcare especially
for critical conditions and enabling its reach beyond
boundaries. This innovation is a small contribution
in aiding patients and healthcare professionals to
find the best cure.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 24

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Guest Post

The royal Marsden private care opens new diagnostic
and treatment centre in central London

The Royal Marsden has expanded its Private The centre will also contribute to the financial
Care presence in London by officially sustainability of The Royal Marsden, ensuring all
opening a brand-new, research -led, patients benefit as part of the unique, integrated
diagnostic, outpatient and treatment facility in partnership between The Royal Marsden’s NHS
Cavendish Square. and Private Care services. This model means
revenue generated from Private Care is reinvested
Located in the heart of the capital’s world- back into the NHS Foundation Trust, ensuring that
renowned and most respected healthcare district all patients can be offered the highest standards of
between Oxford Street and Harley Street, the new cancer treatment and care.
facility offers world leading standards of cancer Professor Chris Nutting, Consultant Clinical
care to patients in a calm, modern and reassuring Oncologist and Clinical Director of the Royal
environment. Marsden Private Care at Cavendish Square said:

Housed within an Edwardian listed building, “The Royal Marsden sees and treats 60,000
Cavendish Square is a dedicated and
comprehensive cancer diagnostic and treatment NHS and private patients every year and
centre and part of The Royal Marsden’s Private Cavendish Square is an exciting new
Care service provision; a new expansion in a development that will allow our multidisciplinary
convenient central London location to provide teams to offer world class standards of cancer
increased capacity for private care patients. care to even more patients, diagnosing cancers
faster with a targeted and personalised
Cavendish Square will offer patients fast and direct
access to The Royal Marsden’s world-leading ”approach.
diagnostic and research active consultants
specialising in a full range of cancer services. Home Shams Maladwala, Managing Director of the Royal
to a state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging suite Marsden Private Care said:
offering MRI, CT, X-Ray, ultrasound and
mammography, experts will be able to identify and “Improving patient access to better and more
diagnose cancers earlier across all the main tumour
types with other clinical specialties offered rapid diagnostics is a priority at The Royal
including genetics, plastic surgery and Marsden, and Cavendish Square is part of a
reconstruction and pain management. broader strategy to diagnose cancer faster and
earlier. Thanks to our integrated model, patients
A one stop diagnostic service will be offered at the seeking the very best private cancer treatment can
centre where patients can expect to have an do so safe in the knowledge that it is backed by
appointment booked following their initial enquiry, the strictest safety standards and governance
direct access to diagnostic services, same day scans usually only seen in the NHS. Further investment
and test results. The centre is also home to a minor in the Trust’s NHS services from Private Care
procedure suite and a medical day unit with revenue provides the best of both worlds for both
bespoke treatment bays, which will provide the patients and clinicians, supporting The Royal
highest level of patient focused care for UK and Marsden in continuing to be worldwide leaders in
overseas patients who are receiving some of the the field of cancer diagnosis, treatment, care,
most advanced cancer treatments. Cavendish
Square will initially see both Private Care and NHS research and education.”
patients ensuring that all patients with suspected
cancer receive quick access to diagnostic tests.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |26

Business News

Telstar BiOptima IT MSC designed to integrate
pharmacy compounding software programs

B iOptima IT is the new
version of

microbiological safety cabinets

particularly designed for the

integration of software

solutions for oncologic

therapy planning, therapy

monitoring and the

preparation of cytotoxics. The

new booth range responds to

the need for most hospital

pharmacies which rely on

software solutions to aid them

in dose preparation and

improve the safety of the

medications and the pharmacy workflow. These The BiOptima Cyto, includes three HEPA filters,
according to the DIN12980 norm, addressed to
software solutions can include on-line (weight- work with high-risk microbiological and highly
toxic applications, such as the production of
based) gravimetric verification, barcode reading cytotoxic drugs. These versions provide operator
protection with the inflow air barrier, product
and automatic and electronic documentation of protection thanks to HEPA-filtered laminar
downflow in the working area and environmental
preparations. protection through the exhaust HEPA filter. The
BiOptima EXA class II B2 cabinet constructed to
Equipped with all the necessary hardware for NSF 49 standards, is designed to work with toxic
and / or volatile chemicals. Finally, BiOptima
effortless integration in the daily routine of a ONE is a new version of Class I safety cabinet
designed, according to EN12469 standard, for
modern-day pharmacy or to upgrade existing general microbiological research with low- and
moderate-risk agents.
pharmacies to a state-of-the-art compounding
BiOptima range also integrates Zerocoat, a new
facility, this range of cabinets are designed and antimicrobial bacteriological barrier. It is a new
technology promoted by Telstar that provides the
manufactured according to EN 12469 and the DIN interior of the cabinet with a high antimicrobial
power and reduces cleaning and maintenance costs.
12980 norms. Based on new photocatalytic treatment based on
titanium dioxide it provides a self-cleaning surface
The IT configuration is available for all BiOptima which breaks down organic matter when the light
system is triggered. Incorporated on the inside of
models: One, Cyto, Exa and BiOptima (4, 5 and 6 the cabin, this treatment fully protects the work
surface and, among other variables, endows the
sizes). BiOptima range belongs to the new stainless steel that surrounds the chamber`s interior
with a high potential antimicrobial power.
generation Microbiological Safety Cabinets (MSC)

designed to provide higher performance, comfort

and cleanability. With an innovative design, these

cabinets also ensure optimum efficiency and high-

level energy savings. Intended to be used for

microbiological research, it features low noise

levels, low power consumption and low

maintenance costs. The MSC BiOptima range

consists of different versions. The BiOptima

standard model is integrated with two HEPA

filters, according to the EN12469 standard, for

microbiological research with biological agents

(bacteria, viruses, etc.) and allergens.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |27

Research News

NEC contributes to development of artificial DNA aptamer that
binds to the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)

- Aiming to provide a spatial monitoring device that can detect viruses in aerosols

NEC Corporation (NEC; Coronavirus Representative picture, Credit: Pixabay
TSE: 6701) and NEC
Solution Innovators The binding assessment tests with aptamers were
today announced the successful conducted in a biosafety level 3 (*6, BSL3)
development of artificial DNA laboratory, which is allowed to handle SARS-CoV-
aptamers (*1) that bind to the novel 2.
coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This Binding assessment tests were conducted using the
breakthrough stems from the NEC Direct ELAA method (*7), in which viruses were
Group’s efforts to promote spatial adsorbed onto plates and detected with enzyme-
monitoring business using labeled aptamers.
aptamers, including the As a result, a strong binding of aptamers to SARS-
development of new biosensing CoV-2 was observed in all three strains.
systems, such as measuring
equipment that can monitor spaces Future Prospects
where various viruses, including NEC is developing a measuring device that enables
SARS-CoV-2 and influenza spatial monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 by combining
viruses, are present. MSSs (*8, Membrane-type Surface Stress Sensor)
and an aptamer that binds to SARS-CoV-2. This
Overview of Aptamers measuring device is designed to be used in spaces
SARS-CoV-2 enters into human cells when the where people gather and spend time in close
spike protein, Receptor-Binding Domain (*2, proximity, such as public facilities, restaurants,
RBD), on the surface of the virus binds to the lodging facilities, event venues and offices. In fiscal
ACE2 receptors (*3) on the surface of human cells. 2021, NEC expects to provide a prototype of a
fixed-type spatial monitoring measuring device for
The aptamer developed by NEC Solution companies, universities and other research
Innovators targets RBD, which is the key to institutions that perform virus measurement and
infection, then traps the virus by recognizing the other measures.
three-dimensional structure of the RBD and In addition, in fiscal 2022, NEC aims to provide a
binding very strongly to it (*4, a dissociation biosensing system that can be used for space
constant indicating the strength of the binding monitoring and as an embedded device for
between molecules is less than 1nM). This aptamer equipment such as air conditioners.
uses a new modified base called Base appended
Base (*5, Patent No. 6763551), which was
developed by NEC Solution Innovators and
Gunma University from 2014-2017 supported by a
grant for “Adaptable and Seamless Technology
Transfer Program through Target-driven R&D”
(A-STEP) from the Japan Science and Technology
Agency (JST).

Three variants of SARS-CoV-2, including the
original strain (WK521 Wuhan strain) and two
mutant strains (TY7-501 Brazilian and QK002 UK
strains) are being studied by academic laboratories
in collaboration with the NEC Group.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 28

Research News (*4) Dissociation constants and units:
In chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmacology, the
The NEC Group is developing next-generation dissociation constant (Kd value) is estimated by measuring the
biosensors using an aptamer that can be stably off rate (dissociation) and on rate (association) between ligand
produced in large quantities. The aptamer, which and analyte. The smaller Kd value indicates the stronger
binds strongly to SARS-CoV-2, was found to have interaction of ligand and analyte. In general, the range of Kd
a weak inhibitory effect on infection against value for the protein-protein interaction is between micro- and
TMPRSS2 expressing Vero E6 cells derived from nano- molar.
African green monkey kidney epithelial cells (*9), (*5) Patent No. 6763551:
which are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 New modified bases that add additional bases to native DNA
infection. bases to enhance DNA reactivity and structural diversity
(*6) Biosafety level:
“Going forward, through joint research in fiscal Rating of laboratories/facilities that handle
2021, the NEC Group will accelerate the microorganisms/pathogens such as bacteria and viruses based
development of aptamers with stronger ability to on guidelines established by the World Health Organization
inhibit infection, which will facilitate the aptamers’ (WHO).
potential as an antiviral drug,” said Yutaka (*7) Direct ELAA (Enzyme-Linked Aptamer Assay)
Ukegawa, Senior Vice President, NEC A method to detect enzymatic activity in which a target protein
Corporation. "These initiatives are in line with the or virus to be detected is adsorbed on a plate, and an enzyme
NEC Group’s aim to achieve NEC Safer Cities, such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or alkaline phosphatase
which utilize state-of-the-art ICT and is added to an aptamer.
biotechnology in support of vibrant (*8) MSS sensor:
communities," he added. A highly sensitive nanomechanical sensor that utilizes electric
read-out based on piezoresistors, is capable of
(*1) Aptamer: measuring/analyzing scents and odors and can be used for
A nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) that recognizes and specifically many other applications.
binds to the conformation of a particular target molecule, such (*9) TMPRSS2 expressing Vero E6 cells:
as a virus or protein. It can be artificially created SELEX The Vero cells that stably express TMPRSS2 and play an
technology that searches for sequences that bind strongly to a important role in SARS-CoV-2 entering into a cell by the
test target. cleavage of the spike glycoprotein.
(*2) Receptor Binding Domain (RBD)
SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S protein) recognizes and About NEC Corporation
binds to ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) expressed NEC Corporation has established itself as a leader in the
on cells. RBDs refer to domains containing ACE2 binding sites integration of IT and network technologies while promoting
on the S protein. the brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” NEC
(*3) ACE2 receptor: enables businesses and communities to adapt to rapid
ACE2 (Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) is an important changes taking place in both society and the market as it
receptor in the human body that contributes to elevated blood provides for the social values of safety, security, fairness and
pressure by vasoconstriction and hormonal secretion. On the efficiency to promote a more sustainable world where
other hand, it has been reported that the human coronaviruses everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. For
SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 enter cells by adhering to ACE2, more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.
making them host receptors.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |29

Business News

Fargo responds to India COVID crisis

Company grants $3 million for health care and emergency response

As part of its
response to the
ongoing COVID-
19-related humanitarian

crisis in India, Wells Fargo

& Company (NYSE: WFC)

is committing more than $3

million (INR 25 crores)

through nongovernmental

organizations to increase

hospital capacity, supply

oxygen concentrators and

critical medical equipment,

provide emergency

transportation, and support

health care workers. Wells

Fargo has several offices in Representative picture, Credit: Pixabay

India, and the company has Nearly all Wells Fargo employees in India are
currently working remotely, and the company has
taken steps throughout the pandemic to help been covering costs for COVID-19 testing and
vaccines, as well as offering enhanced medical
ensure the health and safety of its employees in insurance coverage, COVID-19-related leave, and
time away for vaccines.
India and globally through remote work and “We thank all of our employees across the globe,
but especially those in India and the Philippines
enhanced benefits. right now, as they demonstrate a tremendous
amount of resiliency and courage during this
“It’s been heartbreaking to see the devastating challenging time, while continuing to care for one
another, their communities, our business and our
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India,” said customers,” said Arindam Banerrji, managing
director of India and the Philippines.
Bill Daley, vice chairman of Public Affairs. “Our About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company is a leading financial
priority is caring for our employees and local services company that has approximately $1.9
trillion in assets and proudly serves one in three
communities in India. These grants can help U.S. households and more than 10% of all middle
market companies and small businesses in the U.S.
nonprofits quickly provide much needed medical We provide a diversified set of banking, investment
and mortgage products and services, as well as
equipment and build capacity while providing care consumer and commercial finance, through our
four reportable operating segments: Consumer
for those affected and support for health care Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking,
Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth
professionals tirelessly working to save lives.” and Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked
No. 30 on Fortune’s 2020 rankings of America’s
The grants are in addition to $225 million in largest corporations. In the communities we serve,
the company focuses its social impact on building
philanthropic contributions for COVID-19 relief a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting
housing affordability, small business growth,
that Wells Fargo has deployed globally since 2020. financial health and a low-carbon economy.

Grants will go to United Way agencies in

Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai; Nirmaan

Organization; Akshay Patra Foundation; Mantra

Social Services; and NASSCOM Foundation.

Funding will aim to:

Provide portable hospital annex units with 200

beds

Deploy oxygen concentrators to hospitals

Deliver COVID-19 isolation kits for people

recovering at home

Support ICU ambulances to help transport patients

to hospitals

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic,

Wells Fargo has continued to provide enhanced

benefits and support for its employees.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 30

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Business News

Practo aims to vaccinate over one crore Indians as part of
‘Corporate Suraksha’ program

Employees from over 1,000 corporates across India will be vaccinated in the first round
of this vaccination program

As India battles a deadly second wave of The country is battling a deadly second phase of the viral
COVID-19 and the need for immunization outbreak, and immunizing as many people as possible is the
intensifies, Practo today announced only way out of it. Blanket vaccination is critical.
‘Corporate Suraksha’, a corporate vaccination The government is constantly working on expanding the list
program for companies across the country. The of COVID-19 vaccination centres, and Practo is extending
registrations are now open its full support to make sure that the programme is carried
(https://www.partnership.practo.com/suraksha) out quickly and efficiently.”
for corporates to enlist their employees and their
family members for the inoculation. Additionally, In addition to this vaccination program, the
corporates can use the same link to register for company also offers a comprehensive health and
Practo’s wellness plans, as part of which employees wellness plan to corporate employees, as part of
get access to online doctor consultations across which employees get premium 24*7 access to
22+ specialities, among other health benefits. 25000+ verified doctors for instant online
consultations across 22+ specialties, medicine
Over 500 corporates (approx. 10 lakh Indians) delivery and medical tests services at home services.
Over 150 corporates like L&T Financial Services,
have expressed interest in joining the program in Marico, Hexaware Technologies, Tata Realty,
Denave India, Telus International have availed
the first phase. Practo will be setting up camps and these plans for their employees.

working with its As per government directions, all individuals are
required to be vaccinated twice - with a gap of six -
strong eight weeks between the doses. They also need to
network of hospitals, vaccinators, and supply continuously monitor their health during this
chain companies among others in the healthcare period for possible side effects like fever and/or
ecosystem, to initiate the drive. In the coming days, cold. In case they experience any discomfort, they
vaccination programs will be run at hospitals, must consult a doctor. Practo’s health and wellness
while special camps will be set up at corporate plans come in handy in such cases.
offices in 30+ cities across the nation.
About Practo:
Additionally, Practo will also be expanding this
program to housing societies, apartment Practo, the country's leading integrated healthcare company, connects the
complexes, and other such communities; they entire health ecosystem together – including patients, doctors, clinics,
can register here. Following the registration hospitals, pharmacies and diagnostics – to generate exceptional value and
process, Practo will reach out to the respective service for all, especially the end consumers. It integrates different parts of
owners and share details about administering the patients' healthcare journey so they can have a seamless experience,
the vaccines, appointment schedules, and the right from finding and booking an appointment with verified doctors,
location where employees can get the jab. consulting online with ETA as low as 60 seconds, getting medicines
delivered and lab tests conducted at home, and accessing insightful health
Over the next few months, the company plans to articles authored by verified doctors. Practo also makes software products
scale this to over 1000 corporates and 1 crore that help healthcare providers - ranging from small clinics to large hospitals
Indians. - digitize and deliver more efficient and higher quality healthcare to millions
of patients around the world.
Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Healthcare
Strategy Officer, Practo, said, “Centre’s decision to As technology becomes an integral part of healthcare, Practo has also
include every adult in the fourth phase of the vaccination become an essential enabler in helping doctors understand the nuances of
drive is a welcome move. managing and securely storing all health data. Practo encrypts all data with
256-bit encryption, uses HIPAA compliant data centers, and is one of the
few healthcare companies to be ISO 27001 certified. Practo is present in
20+ countries, helping over 18 crore patients every year by connecting
them with 1 lakh+ verified doctor partners.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 32

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Business News

MFine Launches SPO2 tracking tool- MFine Pulse on its App
MFine Pulse Transforms Any Smartphone into an Oximeter

India’s leading Digital Health startup MFine has Measuring SPO2 levels is useful for people who
launched the MFine Pulse, an app based have conditions that affect the oxygen saturation.
SPO2 (blood oxygen saturation) For example, people with respiratory or
monitoring tool which enables users to keep track cardiovascular conditions sleep apnea, heavy
of their oxygen saturation levels without needing an snoring and very young infants are recommended
additional device. Using the power of smartphones to monitor their oxygen saturation level regularly.
and AI, MFine Pulse helps users measure oxygen India currently has half a billion smartphone
saturation using the phone camera and flash. In its users and it is estimated to reach 820 million in
beta roll out, thousands of users have already used 2022. On the back of falling prices of mobile
the tool and currently hundreds of readings are devices and the growing adoption of 4G services,
recorded everyday. Moving beyond telemedicine smartphones have a good penetration even in rural
consultations and services, MFine is working on areas where other sophisticated infrastructure is
next-gen AI technologies which aims to convert the absent. Using smartphones to monitor health vitals
mobile phone into a rich diagnostics and vitals supplemented by telemedicine consultations can
monitoring tool. MFine will launch more such prove to be a game changer for India. Smartphones
vitals monitoring & diagnostics tools in the coming and wearable technologies are increasingly being
days, elevating the use of smartphones as the new used as affordable, user-friendly and pervasive
examination tool for vitals tracking. healthcare solutions that users can use to
proactively manage their health conditions and
MFine has built a proprietary algorithm that avoid unnecessary hospitalization. While wearables
measures the oxygen saturation using a smartphone cater to a certain section of the society,
camera. A photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal is smartphones are more ubiquitous in India.
obtained from the user’s fingertip Smartphones as a health monitoring device will
using the smartphone camera. The PPG is an play a major role in the way users track their vital
optically obtained plethysmogram that can be used parameters and healthcare providers handle
to detect blood volume changes in the diagnostics.
microvascular bed of tissue. The LED illuminates
the skin and the smartphone camera measures the “MFine is focussed on delivering an AI-driven,
changes in light absorption. The signal is then
broken down into Red, Blue and Green parts and on-demand healthcare service across India, and
using the difference in levels of light absorbed aims to be one of the largest virtual hospitals in the
across these different wavelengths, SPO2 is world with services across primary care,
calculated by a machine learning algorithm. secondary care and chronic care management in
Currently, the MFine Pulse SPO2 measuring tool collaboration with its trusted partners. With over
features 80% medical grade accuracy. The tool 4,000 doctors including some of India’s top
is in public beta for Android users and will soon be doctors from 600 reputed hospitals covering 35
launched for iOS users. MFine is preparing for specialties on the platform, MFine provides users
certifications of its algorithms, with data of with on-demand access to quality medical care. In
hundreds of measurements to give medical grade 2020, MFine expanded its geographical coverage
accuracy and reliability to the algorithm. beyond physical boundaries of the cities to serve
people from over 1,000 towns in India and
launched several new services such as AI-based
self-assessment of various health conditions and

”long term care programs for chronic conditions.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 34

Business News With the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine and
digital healthcare delivery have proven to be the
Ajit Narayanan, CTO, MFine norm and digital tools like MFine Pulse will play a
major role in the way healthcare providers handle
“We are excited to be in the midst of a diagnostics, monitoring and treatment plans, be it
at a hospital or at home.”
massive transformation which will
decentralize the healthcare processes and About MFine
bring awareness, diagnosis and treatment
that's literally in the hands of millions of MFine is an AI-driven, on-demand healthcare platform that provides its
people. Use of smartphones as an access users access to virtual consultations and connected care programmes from
tool to digital health has started and its use the country’s top hospitals.
as a medical device will see many more The app-based mhealth platform partners with leading and trusted hospitals
instead of aggregating individual doctors. MFine users can consult doctors
innovations in the next few years.” from their preferred hospitals via chat or video to get prescriptions and/or
routine care. Users can also book routine lab tests, medicine delivery and
access comprehensive health packages. MFine was founded in December
2017 by Ashutosh Lawania and Prasad Kompalli who were later joined by
Ajit Narayanan and Arjun Choudhary. For more details, please visit:
https://www.mfine.co/.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 35

Business News

Miracles Healthcare, Apollo Cradle & Apollo
Spectra Launches boutique Hospital in Sector
82, Gurugram

Miracles Healthcare, Apollo Cradle provides the comforts of home and
Apollo Cradle and the unifocal approach to deliver the highest medical
Apollo Spectra have care in the field of obstetrics, gynecology and
joined hands to launch a neonatology, fetal medicine. It has a Level-III
boutique Women & Children NICU Unit, for premature and sick newborns,
and Multi-Specialty Hospital equipment and procedures specifically designed for
in Sector 82 – Miracles Apollo babies help the team treat sick newborns until they
Cradle / Spectra Hospital, are healthy enough to go home.
equipped to address the
changing requirements of It has a team of medical consultants – specialists in
healthcare in the aftermath of endocrinology, urology, cardiology, nutrition and
COVID-19 and serve a larger physiotherapy – to monitor the health status of the
number of patients in mother and child on a regular basis.
Gurugram and its neighboring
districts. The hospital brings Apollo Spectra’s superior
The hospital brings together,
at the same location, the surgical capabilities backed by modern surgical
renowned Women & Children
care synonymous with Apollo intensive care units (ICUs) for complete post-
Cradle, the Multi-specialty Surgical Expertise of
Apollo Spectra and over two decades of surgery support. Combining Apollo Spectra’s wide-
operational & customer service excellence
associated with Miracles Healthcare. The ‘state-of- ranging skilled capabilities, the hospital will also
the-art’ hospital has modular operation theatres,
Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), offer allied specialties including general &
comprehensive diagnostics, world-class rooms
backed by an expert clinical team of specialists and laparoscopic surgery; dermatology;
much more.
gastroenterology; radiology; orthopedics, joint
Recognized as one of the best medical service
provider in Gurgaon, Miracles Healthcare, is replacement, pulmonology, urology, plastic
dedicated to provide best personalised health care
tailored to individual patient needs complete range surgery, and ENT specialties.
of world-class healthcare services including
Specialist Consultations (best Gynaecologists,
Orthopaedics, ENT, Cardiologists etc.),
Diagnostics, MRI / CT, Preventive Health checks,
Dental clinic, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and best
doctors from various medical fields – all under one-
roof. Miracles Healthcare is committed to
providing consistently superior quality health care
services to address the day-to-day health care needs
of the family to maximize convenience and
comfort along with preventive health packages for
individuals and corporates.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 36

Business News With this we wish to deliver personalized services
and international standard healthcare by focusing
The Miracles Apollo Cradle / Spectra Institutes of on quality patients care, high medical standard
Excellence will serve in the fields of orthopedics, and constant innovation,” says Dr Sheetal
general and laparoscopic surgery, eye, nose, and Dhawan, Director Operations, Miracles Apollo
throat (ENT), obstetrics and gynecology, Cradle / Spectra Hospital, Gurugram.
neonatology, pediatrics, and urology. The hospital,
compliant with ICMR guidelines to prevent “The team of well-known specialists at this hospital
COVID-19 in healthcare facilities, will have a fever bring a collective experience of many years. With
clinic, will screen all staff, patients and visitors at the launch of this hospital, we wish to cater to all
the entry point, and will undertake thorough your primary and secondary healthcare needs.
sanitization and social distancing measures.
We have chosen to adopt a holistic approach and
“Miracles Apollo Cradle is a renowned name for hence will offer most specialty services one may
providing broad-spectrum Women & Children need in lifetime. Also, the preventive health
healthcare treatment from last 15 years and we checkups and corporate health solutions will enable
aim to strengthen our reputation with this new us to provide one stop solution to the millennial
addition with Apollo Spectra, a name well-known working population in the area,” says Dr Mandeep
for multi-specialty surgical treatment. Kaur, Medical Superintendent, Miracles Apollo
Cradle / Spectra Hospital, Gurugram.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 37

Business News

The London Clinic advances robotic offering with
latest da Vinci Xi Surgical System

Following the arrival of the state-of-the-art da We are also
Vinci Xi Surgical System, The London Clinic seeing a
shares its plans to continue advancements in number of
robotic surgery, particularly colorectal, and build a international
patients
centre of excellence in robotics in the heart of enquiring for
these
London’s Harley Street. procedures
and
The independent charitable hospital has now recognising
the expertise based at The London Clinic across
surpassed 10 successful colorectal cases on the new many specialties.”
L.G., a patient who undertook robotic colorectal
robot, which allows for incredibly precise surgery, surgery at The London Clinic, said: “During my
first consultation with Mr Chand at The London
since its instalment in November 2020. The Xi Clinic, he mentioned to me the possibility of having
‘robotic surgery’, which I had never heard of. Mr
model is the latest iteration of the da Vinci series, Chand explained to me very clearly how robotic
surgery works and the benefits of it, including that
providing surgeons with an advanced set of it is less invasive and that it reduces the level of
pain, the scarring and the recovery time. I am glad
instruments as well as an “intelligent” patient table, that we decided that robotic surgery would be the
most beneficial option in my case and I could not
to use in performing robotic-assisted, minimally be happier with the level of care I received.”
Building on these successes in colorectal surgery,
invasive surgery. The surgeon guides the robot The London Clinic is set to further expand its
robotic offering into other fields of medicine.
remotely using a nearby console. Professor Prokar Dasgupta, a Urology Consultant
and The London Clinic’s Robotics and Technology
Having been home to each robot in the da Vinci Lead, said: “We have already established a world-
leading programme in urology at The London
series, dating back to 2005, this new milestone in Clinic, and I am thrilled that we are now extending
tangibly into colorectal, the second biggest cancer.
robotic colorectal surgery heralds an exciting future This is important progress, both for clinicians and
their patients. Our aim is to continue building a
for The London Clinic’s clinicians and patients. centre of excellence in robotics, with the most
advanced equipment that is available, in London’s
Led by Mr Manish Chand, a Consultant Colorectal leading medical district.”
The London Clinic was the first private hospital in
Surgeon and Professor of Surgery based at The the UK to introduce robotics in 2005 and has since
built a multi-disciplinary robotic centre. With the
London Clinic, along with his partner, Consultant aim of advancing healthcare for the benefit of
patients and the wider healthcare community, it is
Surgeon Mr Jim Khan, each case has delivered a the only UK private hospital with three different
robots: da Vinci Xi, Navio for orthopaedics, and
variety of benefits compared to other forms of AquaBeam for prostate resection.

surgery, meaning better outcomes can be achieved For more information, please contact:
Isabel Hope-Urwin | Content and Communications Manager
for patients. [email protected]
0207 935 4445 | x3135
Speaking about the success of the recent
Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 38
procedures, Mr Chand said: “For a number of

reasons, the uptake of robotic surgery in certain

fields has been slow within the private sector.

Often, the robots have been limited to the field of

urology; or there has been a lack of resources and

training to perform robotic surgery. However,

there are a great many benefits to robotic surgery,

which we are keen on sharing with our patients.

Patients should know that there is often an

alternative in robotics and that it may be a better

choice than traditional open forms of surgery,

particularly for more complex procedures.

“For each of the cases we have performed since

the installation of the Xi, including complex

cancers as referrals from other centers or

technically challenging re-do surgery, our patients

have found robotic surgery to be hugely satisfying

and comfortable.

They have experienced little pain post-operatively,

and have been able to go home quickly and safely

when compared to other forms of surgery.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |

Business News

Pristyn Care sets up ‘COVID-19 Treatment
Centre’ with Oxygen Bed

T o address the ongoing crisis arising from  Emergency ambulance facility available in
lack of hospital beds, oxygen cylinders and case a patient needs to be shifted to a
medical professionals in the country, nearby hospital
Pristyn Care – a healthcare startup has come
forward to set up its first ‘COVID-19 Treatment Harsimarbir Singh, Co-founder, Pristyn Care said,
Centre’ in Gurugram and aims to start its second “In times like these, it is our responsibility to
treatment centre in Bangalore soon. support the healthcare community in every possible
The Gurugram centre houses 60 beds which are way and by setting up this ‘COVID-19 Treatment
well equipped with oxygen support, medicines and Centre’ we are contributing our bit to the society.
food with a dedicated round the clock medical team
of specialist doctors and nursing staff. Patients Everyone from
getting treated can avail diagnostics services such as
blood investigations and CT scans through Pristyn our medical and
Care’s network of government approved labs.
Amid the rising scarcity of oxygen cylinders and operations team
hospital beds in the city, Pristyn Care is working
day-in and day-out to build a steady supply of who is
oxygen and medicines at the centre. Many of the
team members are even travelling to the outskirts working at the
of the city to get oxygen cylinders refilled for these
COVID patients. frontline has put in
Some of the employees of the company who have
recovered from COVID-19 have voluntarily come a lot of effort
up to donate plasma for the patients being treated
at the centre while others are working to get to make this possible, we are extremely proud to
verified plasma donation leads from their friends,
families and extended connections. have them with us. We also plan on ramping up and
Symptomatic COVID-19 patients can avail
treatment and care at the centre by registering opening additional treatment centres across
themselves on the official website
www.pristyncare.com/covidcentre Bangalore and some other cities.”
Key facilities of COVID-19 Treatment Centre by
Pristyn Care: Pristyn Care’s ‘COVID-19 Treatment Centre’

 The centre has the facility of oxygen strictly adheres to the World Health Organisation
support for patients undergoing treatment
and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
 The entire medical and nursing staff is well
trained to assist and aid a COVID-19 Government of India’s mandated precautionary
patient
and hygiene protocols to ensure the health and
 COVID-19 Care Kit (Masks, Sanitizer,
thermometer, Oximeter, etc.) is provided safety of its patients, doctors, and staff. Each and
to ensure the safety of patients and medical
staff every doctor and paramedical staff at the centre is

 The medical team will keep the family in equipped with high quality PPE kits, respirators, N-
the loop with regular health updates
95 masks, protective eye-gears, head caps, show-
 During the stay, the patients will be
provided with nutritious meals covers, gloves, and other such protective

equipment.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Pristyn Care

has relentlessly worked to extend support to its

patients and the general public in every way

possible.

From donating medical masks for the safety of the

police personnel in Delhi to delivering medicines

and COVID-19 essentials such as masks, sanitizers,

PPE kits, gloves, oximeters at discounted rates to

public, Pristyn Care also provided at-home RT-

PCR testing service (testing is followed by

complementary online doctor consultation).

Patients across the country can tele-consult via

phone/video call with expert doctors of Pristyn

Care for any COVID-19 concerns alongside 50+

diseases such as Piles, Hernia, Gallstones, Sinus and

more.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 40

Business News

Critical care attendants in poor physical and mental
wellness report more medical errors

A study led by The Ohio
State University
College of Nursing
finds that critical care nurses in

poor physical and mental health

reported significantly more

medical errors than nurses in

better health.

The analysis, which was

conducted prior to the

COVID-19 pandemic, also

found that”nurses who

perceived their worksite was

very supportive of the well-

being were twice as likely to

have better physical health.”

“Critical Care Nurses’ Physical

and Mental Health, Worksite Wellness Support, 4.Nurses who reported working in places that
provided greater support for wellness were more
and Medical Errors” is published in the American than twice as likely to have better personal health
and professional quality of life compared with
Journal of Critical Care. those whose workplace provided little or no
assistance.
“It is critically important that we know some of the The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center has many
programs to promote clinician well-being,
root causes that lead to those errors and do including its employee assistance program, which
offers confidential mental health resources and
everything we can to stop them,” said lead author services such as counseling, mindfulness training
and its Stress, Trauma and Resilience (STAR)
Bernadette Melnyk. Program that offers the Buckeye Paws pet therapy
program to promote building coping and resilience
It’s clear that critical care nurses, like so many other skills.
The authors mention that levels of stress, anxiety
clinicians, cannot continue to pour from an empty cup. and depression are probably even higher in the
current environment than prior to the pandemic,
System problems that contribute to burnout and poor health once the study was conducted.
“The major implication of this study’s findings for
need to be fixed. Nurses need support and investment in hospital leaders and policymakers is that critical
care physicians whose well-being is supported by
evidence-based programming and resources that enhance their their organizations are more likely to be fully
engaged in patient care and make fewer medical
well-being and equip them with resiliency so they can take mistakes, resulting in better patient outcomes and
more lives saved,” the researchers wrote.
optimal care of patients.” Source:
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
Bernadette Melnyk, Lead Author Journal reference:
Melnyk, B.M., et al. (2021) Critical Care Nurses’ Physical
The writers quoted research on the incidence of and Mental Health, Worksite Wellness Support, and Medical
Errors. American Journal of Critical
stress, anxiety, depression and burnout symptoms Care. doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2021301.

among critical care physicians as a foundation for

examining the possible correlation between well-

being and medical mistakes. The study surveyed

nearly 800 members of the American Association

of Critical-Care Nurses.

1.Of those surveyed, 61% reported suboptimal

physical health, while 51% reported suboptimal

mental health.

2.Approximately 40% screened positive for

depressive symptoms, and over 50% screened

positive for stress.

3.People who reported worse health and well-being

had between a 31 percent to 62% greater likelihood

of making medical errors.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |41

Research News

UCL researchers distinguish new
immunotherapy to battle hepatitis B infection

Researchers at UCL have identified
a new immunotherapy to fight the
hepatitis B virus (HBV), the most
frequent cause of liver cancer in the world.

The pioneering study used immune cells

isolated directly from patient liver and

tumour tissue, to demonstrate that

targeting acyl-CoA:cholesterol

acyltransferase (ACAT), an enzyme which

helps to manage cholesterol levels in cells,

was highly effective at boosting immune

responses.

Released in Nature Communications, the

findings show that blocking the action of ACAT The Maini group then collaborated with Professor
Jane McKeating’s laboratory at the University of
with ACAT inhibitors boosts the specific immune Oxford to demonstrate that ACAT inhibitors could
also block the HBV life cycle in a manner that other
cells that can fight both the virus and associated antivirals are unable to. These drugs therefore have
a unique combination of antiviral and
cancerous tumours, demonstrating its effectiveness immunotherapeutic effects.
Commenting on the findings, first author Dr
as an immunotherapy. Inhibiting ACAT was also Nathalie Schmidt (UCL Division of Infection &
Immunity), stated:”We’ve found an extremely
found to impede HBV’s own replication, thereby effective novel target for the treatment of chronic
hepatitis B virus infection and liver cancer.
also acting as a direct antiviral. ACAT inhibitors “Modulating cholesterol metabolism using ACAT
inhibitors has the distinctive features of directly
like avasimibe, taken orally, have previously been targeting the virus and tumours while at the same
time fostering the T cells which fight them. This
shown to be well-tolerated as cholesterol-lowering enables us to tackle the disease from several
directions at exactly the same time.”
medication in humans. The cholesterol-modifying drug is already known
to be safe in humans and we hope that our study
Explaining the study, lead author Professor Mala now informs the development of clinical trials
combining cholesterol modulation with other
Maini (UCL Division of Infection & Immunity), immunotherapies. In summary, our findings offer
exciting new possibilities for the treatment of
stated:”Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a patients with chronic viral infections and cancer.”
Dr Nathalie Schmidt, UCL Division of Infection &
major global health problem and the most frequent Immunity

cause of liver cancer in the world. Source:
University College London
“The development of novel therapeutic options is Journal reference:
Schmidt, N.M., et al. (2021) Targeting human Acyl-CoA:cholesterol
crucial to enhance patient care. Immune cells such acyltransferase as a dual viral and T cell metabolic
checkpoint. Nature Communications. doi.org/10.1038/s41467-
as T cells are crucial for fighting viruses and 021-22967-7.

tumours but are often highly dysfunctional and

don’t control these diseases. Current standard of

care treatments are often incapable of eliminating

the virus, do not prevent cancer development and

don’t rescue immune cells.

Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) that we ingest daily in our

diets and that can exert multiple roles within

different cells of the body.

In this study, using human liver disease tissue

samples in vitro, Professor Maini’s lab at UCL

showed that ACAT inhibitors boosted human

antiviral T cells capable of eliminating the virus.

This response is in contrast to currently available

therapies. The immune-boosting effect was

especially striking in T cells found in the HBV-

infected liver and within liver cancer, overcoming

the local restraints on immune cell function,

allowing the T cells to target both the virus and

cancerous cells.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 42

Research News

Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Reference
Materials

AMSBIO has

announced a new

range of AAV

reference materials of full

capsids and empty capsids

of 6 different serotypes.

Critical to enable

meaningful comparisons

between research studies

and clinical trials, these

well-characterized

reference standards are

extensively quality

analyzed with molecular

based assays and

transmission electron

microscope.

Gene therapy researchers AAV reference materials are available from
AMSBIO in AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, AAV6, AAV8
have long expressed the importance of well and AAV9 serotypes.
Adeno-Associated Virus are also known to produce
characterized AAV reference materials. empty particles without payloads. These high
purity, quality certified AAV empty capsids
Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is a reference materials can be used as controls and
standards in assays, including HPLC and ELISA,
widely used gene delivery tool for research and AMSBIO offer these AAV empty capsid reference
materials in AAV1, AAV2, AAV5, AAV6, AAV8
clinical applications. Following the US Federal and AAV9 serotypes.
For further information on well characterized, high
Drug Administration gene therapy CMC guidance quality AAV reference materials please
visit https://www.amsbio.com/aav-reference-
published in January 2020, commercially sourced, standards/ or contact AMSBIO on +44-1235-
828200 / +1-617-945-5033 / [email protected].
well-characterized AAV reference materials are one

of the cited reference materials for gene therapy.

AMSBIO’s AAV reference materials (full capsids)

with accurate vector genome concentration can be

used in qPCR-based vector genome quantification.

Additionally, these AAV reference materials are

well characterized for full-to-empty capsid ratio.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 43

Product launches

Bio-Rad Launches the Key Benefits of the SEQuoia
SEQuoia RiboDepletion RiboDepletion Kit
Kit for Next-Generation
Sequencing  Improves assay sensitivity by eliminating
irrelevant
Story source/Credit: Bio-Rad Laboratories,
Inc.  rRNA fragments from an RNA-Seq library
 Retains rare transcripts commonly lost
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., a global leader of life
science research and clinical diagnostic products, from a pre-library RNA depletion strategy
has announced the launch of the SEQuoia  Enables the pooling of multiple libraries
RiboDepletion Kit, which improves assay
efficiency by eliminating irrelevant ribosomal RNA into one depletion reaction to save time
(rRNA) fragments from an RNA-Seq library. and reduce costs
 Streamlines workflow to less than two
The SEQuoia RiboDepletion Kit is designed hours
for genomics researchers targeting rare  Works with a broad input range and is
transcripts or working with a limited or compatible with most available library
degraded sample. The kit can retain RNA prep kits
transcripts that could be lost when using other
methods. In addition, the efficient elimination of The SEQuoia RiboDepletion Kit is the latest
irrelevant rRNA fragments helps reduce the costs offering in Bio-Rad’s SEQuoia portfolio, an RNA-
of sequencing RNA samples. Seq sample preparation product family.
“Using the SEQuoia RiboDepletion Kit, genomics
researchers can obtain the highest quality About Bio-Rad
sequencing data while improving efficiencies and
saving costs,” said Steven Blakely, Bio-Rad Global Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) is a global leader
Director of Marketing, Life Science Group, Gene in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of
Expression. “We are excited to expand our innovative products for the life science research and clinical
SEQuoia product line, which complements our diagnostic markets. With a focus on quality and customer service
portfolio of genomic research products that enable for over 65 years, our products advance the discovery process and
easy integration into NGS workflows,” he said. improve healthcare. Our customers are university and research
institutions, hospitals, public health and commercial laboratories,
biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, as well as applied
laboratories that include food safety and environmental quality.
Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is based in Hercules, California, and has
a global network of operations with more than 7,800 employees
worldwide. Bio-Rad had revenues exceeding $2.5 billion in 2020.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 44

Product launches While LifeArc is probably best known for its work in
life sciences, the new service is not limited to
LifeArc offers expertise and researchers in that field, says LifeArc’s Executive
Director Technology Transfer, Andrew Farquharson:
funding to help tackle “Any researcher from any field can apply, including
engineers, mathematicians and data scientists. In fact,
COVID-19 we’d really like to see applications from multi-
disciplinary teams, so long as they have the right focus
Story source/Credit: LifeArc on the long-term challenges of COVID-19 and
preparing for future viral outbreaks. It also doesn’t
New ideas to help tackle COVID-19 or prepare matter what organisation researchers work for. They
for future viral outbreaks are set to get a major can be based at a university, a charity, a company or
boost, thanks to a new service from the even a governmental body: the door is open to all.
medical research charity LifeArc.
LifeArc has over 25 years’ expertise in translating science “As a medical research charity, we have
into new healthcare treatments or diagnostics for
patients. The charity’s new service, ‘Advise & Connect’, very specialist knowledge in this area and
creates a simple and accessible route through which any that can really complement a university’s
researcher with an eligible project can access LifeArc’s
expertise for free. Eligible projects must involve early- own technology transfer expertise.”
stage research into new drugs, diagnostics, medical
devices or digital/AI applications to overcome the long- Applying to receive advice through the Advice &
term challenges created by COVID-19 and to prepare Connect web pages is straightforward. Researchers
for future viral outbreaks. with eligible projects will be invited to a meeting with
Advice on how to move these projects forward towards two LifeArc advisors whose expertise matches the
clinical adoption project’s needs. LifeArc may also invite a partner
is not the only organisation to assist in providing specialist advice.
benefit of the
scheme. Following the advice session, researchers may be
Researchers may offered further support from LifeArc, its partners and
also be able to wider network of collaborators or be invited to apply
access support for grants of up to £20k. These can be used to help
from LifeArc’s validate or de-risk a technology, to establish market
wider network of need or feasibility and to develop or test prototypes.
collaborators and Applications to Advise & Connect: COVID-19 will
partners and/or open on 12th May 2021 and will be assessed on a
may be invited to rolling basis.
apply for an Innovation Award of up to £20k.
LifeArc has an impressive track record in translational
development, having helped to bring a diagnostic test
and four antibody drugs to market. These include
tocilizumab, originally licensed for rheumatoid arthritis
and in use in 90 countries, but which has more recently
been approved to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients.
The charity has already dedicated £27m funding towards
new medicines and diagnostics to tackle the disease and
donated PPE and lab equipment while its own
laboratories were closed during lockdowns. But staff at
the charity wanted to do more – and the Advice &
Connect service was developed as a result.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition |45

Product Launches The reason we are especially interested in chloride is
that it is the most abundant anion in the human body
Speeding up cell culture – serving all sorts of functions – and its dysregulation
workflows with INTEGRA’s is implicated in diseases such as cystic fibrosis. We’re
serological pipettor hoping that our chloride sensing platform could help
in its detection, as well as in the diagnosis of a number
Story source/Credit: INTEGRA Biosciences of other diseases.”
AG
Whitney continued:
Anion dysregulation is seen in numerous
diseases, from cystic fibrosis and chronic “We have three PIPETBOY pipette
pain, to autism and cancer. Researchers at
the University of Dallas are investigating anion controllers and use them regularly for a
transport in vivo, developing novel tools to help variety of tasks during our cell culture set-
analyze the effects of both normal and aberrant up, for instance to make up large volumes
anion regulation at the molecular level, and are of cell culture media, aliquoting and
using INTEGRA’s PIPETBOY acu 2 to streamline dispensing reagents such as media or
their cell culture antibiotics, resuspensions, as well as to
workflows. mix different solutions. If we are working
with volumes of liquids above 2 ml, we will
Whitney Ong, a joint chemistry graduate student in always use the PIPETBOY; it’s much
the Dodani and Smaldone labs at the university, easier, safer and more efficient that
explained: “My research focuses on the development pouring liquids between glass measuring
of supramolecular-based sensors for anions, cylinders, where there is a higher risk of
particularly for chloride. spillages or not pouring out the desired
volume. They fit into our workflows
perfectly – everyone in the lab loves

them.”

About INTEGRA Biosciences

INTEGRA Biosciences is a leading provider of high-
quality laboratory tools and consumables for liquid
handling and media preparation. The company is
committed to creating innovative solutions which
fulfil the needs of its customers in research,
diagnostics and quality control within the life sciences
markets and medical sector. Today, INTEGRA
innovative laboratory products are widely used all
around the world. More than 100 distribution
partners form a worldwide sales network providing
responsive and competent services to customers.
These distribution partners are supported by a highly
motivated and experienced team of specialists at the
company headquarters in Zizers, Switzerland and
Hudson, NH, USA. INTEGRA is an ISO 9001
certified company.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 46

Product Launches A small portion of cancer cells shed their DNA into
the bloodstream, allowing their mutations to be
Hopkins-Led Research detected via blood sample. Detecting such
Team Improves Gene mutations in blood rather through surgical biopsy
Mutation Detection in Blood of a cancerous tissue is called “a liquid biopsy.”
Such blood-based tests have the potential to detect
Story source/Credit: NGS Technology cancer at an earlier stage, when it can be put into
remission by surgery and/or chemotherapy. The
challenge, Cohen explains, is that the vast majority
of DNA present in the blood sample is shed by
noncancer cells, and only a tiny fraction of the
DNA is derived from the tumor. In patients with
relatively early-stage cancers, a 10 mL blood sample
will only contain a handful of molecules with a
mutation.

Next-generation gene sequencing (NGS) “To detect cancers when they have
technologies—in which millions of DNA
molecules are simultaneously but the best chance of being cured
individually analyzed—theoretically provides requires a detection method that will
researchers and clinicians the ability to
noninvasively identify mutations in the blood pick up cancer signals that are
stream. Identifying such mutations enables earlier present at extremely low
diagnosis of cancer and can inform treatment
decisions. frequencies,” says Cohen. “The
Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers technical challenge in detecting
developed a new technology to overcome the these mutations is akin to finding a
inefficiencies and high error rates common among
next-generation sequencing techniques that have needle in a haystack.”
previously limited their clinical application.
To correct for these sequencing errors, the research The researchers addressed this challenge, with
team from the Ludwig Center and Lustgarten SaferSeqS, by efficiently tagging both strands of
Laboratory at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer each original molecule present in an individual’s
Center developed SaferSeqS (Safer Sequencing blood with a unique barcode. It required new
System), a major improvement to widely used biochemical approaches to do this in an efficient
technologies based on a previous technology called manner with the small number of degraded DNA
SafeSeqS (Safe Sequencing System) that Hopkins molecules that are usually present in blood. The
investigators invented a decade ago. The new investigators use the structural redundancy of the
SaferSeqS technology detects rare mutations in double-stranded DNA molecule to distinguish real
blood in a highly efficient manner and reduces the mutations from errors, an approach called duplex
error rate of commonly used technologies for sequencing. If both strands of a DNA molecule
evaluating mutations in the blood more than 100- contain the identical mutation, it is far more likely
fold. that it is a real mutation and not an error.
Their findings were reported May 3 in Nature “What makes SaferSeqS unique is the efficient
Biotechnology. tagging of both strands of the majority of DNA
The presence of a mutation in a clinical sample molecules circulating in the blood, the low error
could be an early indicator that a person has rate achieved through analysis of both strands of
developed cancer, says study lead author and these DNA molecules, and the manner in which
MD/PhD candidate Joshua Cohen. Cancer is a the molecules of interest are enriched prior to
genetic disease, driven by oncogenes and tumor sequencing. Altogether, these advancements
suppressor genes. underlie the power of the new technology,” says
Cohen.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 47

Product Launches

“Every molecule is sacred because it has Featured image: New SaferSeqS technology
detects rare mutations in blood in a highly efficient
the potential to be the one with the manner and reduces the error rate. (Credit:
Elizabeth Cook)
mutation we’re looking for,” says Cohen.
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
“Because the absolute number of Launches Next Gen Ortho
Vision Swift Platform
molecules is low, the technology has to be
Story source/Credit: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
highly efficient at capturing each molecule
Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, N.J.,
to sensitively identify mutations.” announced the availability of enhanced
Ortho Vision Swift and Ortho Vision
To test the specificity and sensitivity of SaferSeqS Max Swift Analyzers. The new suite offers labs
in a clinically relevant setting, the researchers more processing power, enhanced responsiveness,
compared the samples to previous results from the and advanced data security to ensure results that are
CancerSEEK test, a single blood test that screens consistently fast, accurate, and reliable.
for eight common cancer types, developed and Ortho’s Ortho Vision Swift platform allows labs to
reported by the same research team (Science, 2018). optimize their resources by decreasing hands-on
The researchers revisited 74 blood samples from time, simplifying skill level requirements, and
patients with cancer that had false negative streamlining operations.
results—undetectable mutations—in the 2018 The new integrated Ortho Vision Swift portfolio:
CancerSEEK study using SafeSeqS. In their newest Automates over 99% of the daily workload,
study describing SaferSeqS, the researchers allowing labs to maintain throughput/turnaround
reassessed these blood samples. Using SaferSeqS, time
they observed a marked improvement in sensitivity, Consistently delivers dependable, on-time results
finding previously undetectable mutations in 68% regardless of menu complexity.
of the samples tested.
“The SaferSeqS strategy affords highly reliable Automatically grades, interprets and accepts over
technical specificity, which translates to a better 95% of tests
way to provide clinically meaningful results for Offers 50% quieter system operation and a 36%
patients with larger monitor to enhance workflow and results
relatively review Yields 24% less service calls when linked to
early-stage and e-Connectivity Technology Increases performance
small tumors,” due to an upgraded solid-state drive and twice the
says Cohen. processing and memory.
Taking these
results
together, the
researchers
conclude that
SaferSeqS is
highly
sensitive and
specific for
detecting
extremely rare
cancer-related
mutations, is potentially efficient and cost effective
for clinical use, and reduces the error rate of
existing mutation-detection approaches more than
100-fold.
The next step, they say, is to validate the results and
demonstrate the clinical usefulness of the
technology in prospective clinical trials.
The researchers say SaferSeqS will be the
underlying platform for future CancerSEEK
studies.

Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 48

Product Launches We believe today’s announcement demonstrates
our commitment to maximize long-term value for
Is the only analyzer with artificial intelligence all stakeholders—including our patients,
antivirus technology to protect patient data? customers, employees and shareholders.”
Further, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics is powered by The spinoff is expected to be completed in the
Ortho Care, a global, award-winning, holistic first half of calendar year 2022
service and support program designed to empower
laboratorians to take full advantage of Ortho’s Study: Asuragen Kit
solutions and consistently deliver the highest Reliably IDs Variants Linked
quality care. to Spinal Muscular Atrophy
For more information, visit Ortho Clinical
Diagnostics. Story source/Credit:: Asuragen
Featured image: Ortho Vision Swift platform
(Courtesy: Ortho Clinical Diagnostics)

BD to Spin Off Diabetes
Care Business

Story source/Credit: BD

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Bio-Techne announced that Minneapolis-
Franklin Lakes, N.J., announced its board based Asuragen, a Bio-Techne brand, and
of directors has unanimously authorized scientific collaborators have published the
management to proceed with a plan to spin results of a multisite evaluation study of the
off the company’s diabetes care business as an AmplideX PCR/CE SMA Plus Kit that validates its
independent, publicly traded company (“NewCo”). performance in delivering accurate, reliable
“The decision to spin off our Diabetes Care information to support carrier identification or diagnosis
business is part of our active portfolio management of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). These results
and consistent with our BD 2025 strategy to grow, were released in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
simplify, and empower,” says Tom Polen, The AmplideX PCR/CE SMA Plus Kit has a CE-
chairman, CEO, and president of BD. “The spinoff IVD marking, for United States export only.
will allow BD to strengthen its growth profile, SMA occurs in as many as 1 in 6,000 births and is
enables a greater investment focus on our other one of the most common heritable causes of infant
core businesses and high-growth opportunities, death. ACOG recommends SMA carrier screening
and makes a greater impact for our customers and for all women who are pregnant or considering
patients. We are proud of BD’s leadership in pregnancy. There are an estimated 6 million SMA
driving innovation to support people with diabetes carriers in the United States, reflecting a carrier rate
and believe this transaction will empower NewCo of approximately 1 in 50 that spans diverse ethnic
to advance a more focused strategy and capital groups.
allocation policy to further advance innovation and
growth specific to its unique market. As a “Existing methods for identifying relevant variants
standalone public company, we believe NewCo will in the SMN1 and SMN2 genes are often
be better positioned to leverage its leadership cumbersome, complex, and time-consuming,” says
position in insulin delivery to advance vital, Gary J. Latham, PhD, chief scientific officer at
innovative solutions to the large and growing Asuragen and senior author of the paper.
number of people living with diabetes worldwide.
Microbioz India, May 2021 Edition | 49

Product Launches Study: T2MR Technology
Detects Sepsis Faster Than
“We believe this kit—which analyzes all variants in Blood Culture
a single reaction—will be important for expanding
the availability of reliable results to all populations.” Story source/Credit: T2 Biosystems
The emergence of molecular therapies to treat
SMA has created urgency in identifying carriers and T2 Biosystems, Lexington, Mass., a leader in
diagnosing affected children as early as possible. the rapid detection of sepsis-causing
SMA is usually caused by deletions in the SMN1 pathogens, announced that Expert Review of
gene whereas SMN2 copy number variations affect Medical Devices, a peer-reviewed medical journal,
the onset and severity of disease. Additional published meta-analysis findings confirming that
variants in both genes have been associated with utilization of T2 Biosystems’ Magnetic Resonance
gene duplication or alternative splicing events that (T2MR) technology for identification of
have implications for silent carriers and disease bloodstream infections (BSIs) provides faster time
severity, respectively. to detection, faster transition to targeted microbial
“The combination of gene copy numbers, disease therapy, faster de-escalation of empirical therapy,
modifier, and silent carrier variants in a single-tube and shorter intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital
PCR test is unprecedented. Our published study stay, and with comparable mortality rate versus the
demonstrates this rapid, easy-to-run IVD test can current blood culture standard.
be deployed across different laboratories to Study authors of the meta-analysis, “Antimicrobial
produce accurate and reliable data, even when and Resource Utilization with T2 Magnetic
stressed with challenging and diverse samples and Resonance for Rapid Diagnosis of Bloodstream
genotypes,” says Henny Lemmink, PhD, clinical Infections: Systematic Review with Meta-analysis
laboratory geneticist, Department of Genetics, of Controlled Studies,” systematically searched
UMC Groningen. Medline, Embase, and Central for randomized
In the study, the AmplideX Kit was evaluated trials or observational controlled studies of patients
independently at GenePhile Bioscience Laboratory with suspected BSIs receiving a diagnosis with
in Taiwan; the University Medical Center T2MR or blood culture, ultimately including 14
Groningen in the Netherlands; Turku University studies. Key meta-analysis results include:
Hospital in Finland; and the Hospital of the Significant reduction in the time to detection
University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa. In (MD=-81 hours) and time to species identification
total, 468 clinical DNA samples were tested. (MD=-77 hours) with T2MR vs. blood culture
Overall, copy number results for the kit were 98.6% Patients testing positive on T2MR received targeted
(SMN1) and 97.1% (SMN2) concordant with antimicrobial therapy faster (MD=-42 hours); and
reference results from other methods, such as patients testing negative on T2MR were de-
multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification escalated from empirical therapy faster (MD=-7
(MLPA). The additional variants were 100% hours) vs. blood culture.
concordant with Sanger sequencing. Length of ICU stay (MD=-5.0 days) and hospital
“Breakthrough molecular medicines for SMA have stay (MD=-4.8 days) were shorter with T2MR vs.
raised the bar for more informative and timely blood culture.
SMA diagnostic assays even as labs have been
overwhelmed by testing for the COVID-19
pandemic,” says Vivianna M. Van Deerlin, MD,
PhD, director of the molecular pathology
laboratory and professor of Pathology and
Laboratory Medicine at the University of
Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. “Our
validation results demonstrate that the AmplideX
Kit not only produces quality results, but it does so
using a fast, flexible format that can be easily
implemented—at a time when efficient assays and
lab operations are more important than ever.”

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