Microbioz India- November Healthcare Edition

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Cover Story 10
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New study reveals high prevalence of post COVID-19 fatigue in patients 22
with Type 2 Diabetes 4238

Featured Article

NIH Awards $2.4 Million Research Grant for Better Lung Nodule Diagnosis

Business News

Commemorating COPD Day in the times of Covid: Mechanical ventilator for
COPD patients can be lifesaving

Product Launches

Unimeditrek Pvt ltd Completed Automatic vacuum tissue processor installation in
Govt. Medical college Thoothukudi Tamil Nadu, India

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 6

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he outbreak of COVID-19 all over the world this year has posed
several new challenges to diabetes care and has also provided
an opportunity for new lessons to be learnt in what seems to
be transforming the way we treat diabetic patients.

Some of the issues and challenges that have emerged include
the reported high incidence of COVID-19 infections among
patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), the greater severity, and
higher rates of progression resulting in a higher number of ICU
admissions and higher mortality reported in them.

The cover story of this month titled: “New study reveals high
prevalence of post COVID-19 fatigue in patients with Type 2
Diabetes” authored by A recent study conceived by Dr Anoop
Misra, Padma Shri, Executive Chairman and Director, Diabetes
and Endocrinology, Fortis C-DOC, conducted jointly by Fortis C-
DOC, AIIMS, C-NET, N-DOC and Diabetes Foundation and
published in the journal, Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome:
Clinical Research & Reviews, reveals that Type 2 diabetes (T2D)
patients who had COVID-19 showed significantly more fatigue
when compared with patients who did not have COVID-19.

The edition has a featured article entitled “Commemorating
COPD Day in the times of Covid: Mechanical ventilator for COPD
patients can be lifesaving” authored by Microbioz India
editorial.While the battle against Covid-19 rages on, the COPD
Day is a timely occasion for spreading awareness and
consciousness about a dreaded disease that is responsible for
the second most number of fatalities after heart disease in the
country. A set of progressive lung diseases, COPD comprises a
number of conditions such as Emphysema and Chronic
Bronchitis impinging on lung systems and making breathing
difficult for us. 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 feedback please feel free to
write: [email protected]

Disclaimer: Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 8
Neither the Microbioz India nor its publishers nor anyone else involved in
creating, producing or delivering the Microbioz India (in printed, web or CD
format) or the materials contained therein, assumes any liability or responsibility
for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information provided in the
Microbioz India Magazine (in printed, web or CD format), nor shall they be liable
for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages
arising out of the use of the Microbioz India magazine.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 9

Cover Story

New study reveals high
prevalence of post COVID-19

fatigue in patients with

Type 2 Diabetes

Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) or Long C-NET, N-DOC and Diabetes Foundation and
COVID has emerged as a major roadblock published in the journal, Diabetes & Metabolic
in the recovery of patients infected with Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, reveals that Type
SARS-CoV-2. Amidst many symptoms such as 2 diabetes (T2D) patients who had COVID-19
myalgia (muscle pain), headache, cough and showed significantly more fatigue when compared
breathlessness, fatigue is most prevalent and makes with patients who did not have COVID-19. The
a COVID patient severely debilitated. results show that diabetes complicates course of
COVID-19 and results in excess morbidity and
A recent study conceived by Dr Anoop mortality; presence of diabetes also influences PCS
Misra, Padma Shri, Executive Chairman and via various pathophysiological mechanisms.
Director, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Fortis C- Further, diabetes poses challenges in the recovery of
DOC, conducted jointly by Fortis C-DOC, AIIMS, patients. This is a first of its kind study globally.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 10

Cover Story

The study objective was to assess the prevalence of Dr Anoop Misra, Padma Shri, Executive
fatigue using the CFQ-11 and handgrip strength (as Chairman and Director, Diabetes and
a surrogate marker for sarcopenia or muscle mass Endocrinology, Fortis C-DOC, shared, “Fatigue is a
and power) in patients with Type 2 diabetes after predominant and very debilitating factor, present afterwards
COVID-19 infection, and to compare them against in both hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID patients.
patients with diabetes without a history of COVID- Fatigue and associated symptoms decrease quality of life and
19. The sample size assessed was 108 type 2 diabetes interfere with normal working capacity. For the first time,
patients. such a collaborative case control study has been done by Fortis
C-DOC, AIIMS, C-NET, N-DOC and Diabetes
The methodology followed was to assess patients Foundation and it shows diabetes complicates course of
with T2D who came to the OPD at Fortis CDOC COVID-19, influences PCS or long COVID via various
Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences, New pathophysiological mechanisms. In addition, diabetes poses
Delhi. Patients studied included 52 Type 2 Diabetes challenges in the recovery of patients. It is imperative,
patients who had suffered from COVID with mild therefore, for chronic diabetic patients to follow a healthy
to moderate severity; 56 Type 2 diabetes patients lifestyle, adhere to treatment guidelines and go for regular
who did not suffer from COVID. Both groups were health checks.”
matched for age, duration of diabetes, BMI, TSH,
serum albumin and vitamin D levels. Matching was Dr. Misra, elaborates further, “This new important
done for common factors which may cause fatigue; study re-emphasizes that management of diabetes should be
25(OH)D, serum albumin and TSH levels. Average sustained and more stringent during a pandemic. COVID-
time of presentation of patients post COVID was 19 fatigue should be addressed through a multidisciplinary
92 (range 32-262) days. Symptoms were scored approach which includes the treating clinician, psychological
using Chalder Fatigue Scale (reported as fatigue counsellor, nutritionist, and physical therapy expert. Blood
score, FS) and handgrip strength (in kg) was glucose and blood pressure should be optimal and more
recorded by Jamar Hydraulic Hand Dynamometer. aggressive glycemic management is required. Special care must
be taken regarding nutrition and protein and vitamin
Key Findings: supplements should be used as required. Exercise and
physiotherapy should be started early after COVID-19 as it
1.T2D patients who had COVID-19 showed may benefit not only fatigue but cardiovascular and
significantly more fatigue when compared with pulmonary health and mental well-being of the patient.”
patients who did not have COVID-19 but both
groups had comparable handgrip strength. About Fortis Healthcare Limited

2.T2D with previous COVID-19 infection and who Fortis Healthcare Limited – an IHH Healthcare Berhad
had Fatigue score > 4 have (high fatigue level) had Company – is a leading integrated healthcare services
significant higher inflammation markers during provider in India. It is one of the largest healthcare
acute illness, and post COVID-19, had increased organizations in the country with 36 healthcare facilities
post prandial blood glucose levels, lost more weight, (including projects under development), 4000
had reduced physical activity and showed operational beds and over 400 diagnostics centres
significantly lower handgrip strength as compared (including JVs). Fortis is present in India, United Arab
to those with Fatigue score < 4. Overall, high Emirates (UAE) & Sri Lanka. The Company is listed on
fatigue seems to result from severe COVID-19, and the BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange (NSE) of
high blood sugar levels. India. It draws strength from its partnership with global
major and parent company, IHH, to build upon its
3.Rehabilitation of those with fatigue score>4 after culture of world-class patient care and superlative
acute infection would require careful attention to clinical excellence. Fortis employs 23,000 people
nutrition, glycemic control and graduated physical (including SRL) who share its vision of becoming the
activity protocol world’s most trusted healthcare network. Fortis offers a
full spectrum of integrated healthcare services ranging
4.These findings are particularly relevant in view of from clinics to quaternary care facilities and a wide
increased prevalence of severe diabetes during times range of ancillary services.”
of COVID-19.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 11

Featured Article

NIH Awards $2.4 Million Research Grant for
Better Lung Nodule Diagnosis

A biomedical engineering professor at If it looks like the nodules have grown or changed,
Binghamton University, State University of there is a risk that it could be a malignant lesion and
New York has received a $2.4 million grant cancer cells already are traveling through the
to develop a faster, less painful way to diagnose bloodstream to other parts of the body.
malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs).
Another method is do tissue biopsies, which can be
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded painful and difficult to accomplish because the
the five-year grant to Yuan Wan, PhD, an assistant nodules are relatively tiny. Missing the target and
professor in the department of biomedical taking surrounding healthy cells instead can lead to
engineering at Binghamton University’s Thomas J. misdiagnosis.
Watson College of Engineering and Applied
Science—with the possibility of two years’ With the research grant, Wan wants to develop a
additional funding pending initial results. faster, less painful way to diagnose malignant SPNs.
The funding is through the NIH’s MERIT (Method
More than 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed to Extend Research in Time) Award program.
each year with SPNs. These abnormalities in the Established in 1986 and also known as an R37
lungs, often found during routine x-rays or CT award, the MERIT program supports both
scans, are isolated groups of cells up to three experienced researchers as well as early-stage
centimeters in size. investigators such as Wan who are in the first 10
years of their careers.
Many SPNs are benign, but figuring out which ones
are malignant is not an easy process. One method is Wan hopes to reduce detection time so that patients
to re-scan patients in three to six months so that the would know within a week about whether their
nodules can be rechecked. SPNs should be removed.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 12

Featured Article

The method will analyze extracellular vesicles, His ambition is to help physicians better analyze CT
which are small sacks of proteins, lipids, and nucleic scans of malignant nodules using machine learning
acids that cells secrete for intercellular instead of relying on their own eyes.
communication.
“In a pilot study, we collected 3,000 images and
According to Wan’s vision, a patient would give trained the program to tell the difference between
blood, and the vesicles would be extracted from the potentially cancerous [nodules] and benign ones,”
plasma and enriched using specially designed he says. “Eventually, we would expand the sample
microfluidic devices. size to train the program to improve the diagnosis
with sensitivity and specificity. In the future, once a
“If we can collect these vesicles and use a very high- red flag is raised by the intelligent program, doctors
sensitivity detection technology, we probably can will suggest that patients take the extracellular
tell if there is some abnormal information from the vesicles-based test for further diagnosis.”
extracellular vesicles and give a diagnosis about
whether it’s a tumor or just benign based on the Before earning his doctorate in biomedical
mutation information,” he says. engineering from the University of Texas at
Arlington, Wan graduated from medical school in
In a collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, China, but he found the pace it required to be a
the effectiveness of these new tests will be judged physician there to be daunting.
against tissue samples collected from patients with
SPNs. “In China, being a doctor is not an easy job,” he
says. “In one morning, a doctor can see probably 20
“In cancer diagnosis right now, tissue samples are to 30 patients—it is super-busy. So that’s why after
still the gold standard, so when you develop any new graduation I went into biomedical engineering.”
technology, you always need to compare with the
tissue sample,” Wan says. “In this experiment, we’re Having that medical training does give Wan better
going to collect the samples from malignant SPN insight into patients’ needs, and developing a less
patients as well as normal tissue samples and benign painful method for assessing SPNs and potentially
SPN samples as negative controls. We will extract other types of cancer offers a more compassionate
the DNA from the tumor sample and the normal form of care. Wan also stresses the importance of
sample, and then use a 565-gene panel to learn detection.
about mutation evolution in cancer progression,
look at the mutation pattern, and find out the “If doctors identify nodules as malignant early
mutation hallmarks of malignant SPNs.” enough and they remove the lung section, patients
have a five-year overall survival rate of more than
From there, Wan will zero in on 60 or fewer gene 95%, possibly even reaching 100%,” he notes.
mutations that are telltale signs of malignancy and
develop a commercial version of the test for use by Wan’s grant for “Liquid biopsy of solitary
medical providers. pulmonary nodule with extracellular vesicles” is
NIH #1R37CA255948-01A1.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 13

Featured Article

Researchers May Have Found Diagnostic
Game Changer for Pancreatic Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, “The third group of individuals at a higher risk of
more than 60,000 new cases of pancreatic pancreatic cancer develop new-onset diabetes,
cancer will be diagnosed this year in the particularly in their 50s,” said Farrell. “The exact
U.S., and close to 50,000 men and women will die mechanism isn’t clear, but scientists are linking
of the disease. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to find these blood sugar abnormalities and realizing that
early. People usually have no symptoms until the they could be present up to three years before a
cancer has become advanced or has spread to other patient is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.”
parts of the body. In recognition of Pancreatic
Cancer Awareness Month in November, Yale Farrell hopes that by closely monitoring these three
Cancer Center early detection research is providing groups new clinical opportunities will evolve to help
new reason for optimism. detect pancreatic cancer earlier and save lives.

“By 2030, pancreatic cancer is on track to be the
second most common cause for cancer-related
deaths,” said James Farrell, MD, professor of
medicine at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer
Hospital, and director of Yale Center for Pancreatic
Diseases. “We are working to change that and
believe the most significant advances will be made
by improving early detection.”

Clinical trials are in development to look for new
drug therapeutics, but Farrell and his colleagues are
focused on three groups of individuals who may be
at a higher risk for developing pancreatic cancer.

“The first group is those individuals that have a
family history of the disease or carry a germline
mutation that puts them at an increased risk,” said
Farrell. “For this group we perform regular, routine
imaging, as well as follow blood markers using
blood tests that help us look for the disease.”

Another much larger, second group Farrell is
focused on are those individuals who have
pancreatic cysts. These cysts are found on magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized
tomography (CT) scans.

Farrell notes most of these cysts will never develop James Farrell, MD, professor of medicine at Yale
into pancreatic cancer, but some do. New research Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, and
has identified imaging and novel biomarkers, either director of Yale Center for Pancreatic Diseases. Photo:
using blood or cyst fluid, to help monitor and triage Yale Cancer Center
these individuals.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 14

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Featured Article

First long-acting injectable HIV treatment
assessed and supported by NICE

ViiV Healthcare is the world's specialist HIV Having to take tablets every day can be physically,
company owned by GlaxoSmithKline plc emotionally and socially burdensome for some people. This
("GSK") and which has Pfizer Inc. and decision reflects the rightful need for people living with HIV
Shionogi Limited as shareholders, is delighted to to have the freedom to manage their HIV in a way that
announce that those who suffer from Human works best for them, helping them to live their life to the full.”
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in England and
Wales will soon be able to have routine treatment Garry Brough, Positively UK
with Vocabria (cabotegravir injector that acts for a
long time) created by ViiV Healthcare in In a recent survey carried out among people living
conjunction along with Rekambys (rilpivirine Long- with HIV*, 60% live in fear that their HIV status
acting Injection) created through Janssen Sciences will be shared without their consent, with 45%
Ireland UC (Janssen) which is part among Janssen, saying they have been forced to share their HIV
one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies that status because someone spotted the medicine they
is part of Johnson & Johnson. were taking. In addition, more than half (55%) of
people with HIV surveyed agree that fear of their
This announcement comes after it was reported that HIV status being shared unintentionally stops them
the National Institute for Health and Care living their day-to-day life as they would like to, with
Excellence (NICE) released an affirmative Final 56% saying they avoid certain social situations as a
Assessment Document (FAD) that recommends result.
the combination treatment of HIV-1 for adults who
are virologically deficient (HIV-1 HIV-1 RNA >50 In the same survey*, 85% of people living with HIV
copies/mL) in an antiretroviral regimen that is agree that having the choice over how often they
stable and without previous or present evidence of take their medication would have a positive impact
resistance to viral treatment and with no previous on their life.
virological inability with drugs that belong to the
non-nucleoside reverse transcriptionase inhibitor At ViiV Healthcare, our mission is to ensure that no one
(NNRTI) and the integrase inhibitor (INI) class. living with HIV is left behind and we recognise that there are
still unmet needs in both the choice of medication they take,
It is the very first time an HIV treatment has been and how often they take it. We understand that no medicine
approved and appraised by NICE and it means that works for every individual living with HIV, so we are
individuals who suffer from HIV within England or committed to offering innovative choices that help address their
Wales can soon expect to access the entire long- evolving needs. We are delighted that NICE has approved
acting injectable treatment every two months after the first and only complete long-acting injectable HIV
an initial phase (oral introduction and injectors for medicine, allowing us to focus on the people living with the
initiation) in contrast to the regular, daily oral condition and provide them with treatment options that
therapy. The announcement comes after a positive remove the need for regular daily HIV tablets.”
decision by the Scottish Medicines Consortium
(SMC) in the month of October 2021. It will enable Dr Nneka Nwokolo, ViiV Healthcare UK
patients suffering from HIV living in Scotland to
have access to the long-acting injectable treatment The combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine is
within NHS Scotland. the first and only once-every-two-month, complete
long-acting injectable regimen for virologically
We still have a long way to go in educating around HIV, but suppressed adults living with HIV-1. Phase 3 clinical
today’s announcement demonstrates how far we’ve come since studies showed non-inferior efficacy of long-acting
the 1980s epidemic. It is a huge step forward in offering people injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine, dosed
living with HIV in England and Wales greater choice in monthly, to daily oral antiretroviral therapy.
how they manage their condition.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 16

Featured Article

Furthermore, in the ATLAS-2M study, which The FAD represents finalization of the NICE
included 1,045 participants, the once-every-two- Committee recommendations and forms the basis
month regimen showed non-inferior efficacy to of the final Technology Appraisal Guidance (TAG)
monthly cabotegravir and rilpivirine injections. The issued to the NHS in England and Wales, which is
safety profile was similar between dosing groups, expected to be published on 5th January 2022.
the most common adverse reactions included Pending any appeals from consultees, based on the
injection site reactions, headache, and pyrexia positive FAD, the NHS should make the
(fever). combination of cabotegravir and rilpivirine available
in England and Wales within three months of
Importantly, a secondary endpoint in the ATLAS- publication of the TAG.
2M clinical trial looking at patient preference
showed that treatment once every two months was ViiV Healthcare’s cabotegravir in combination with
preferred by 98% of participants over daily oral Janssen’s rilpivirine was co-developed as part of a
therapy. Cabotegravir and rilpivirine are collaboration with Janssen and builds on ViiV
administered as two intramuscular injections in the Healthcare’s industry-leading portfolio that is
buttocks, during the same visit at a specialist clinic centered around delivering innovative medicines for
by a healthcare professional. Prior to the initiation the HIV community.
of the injections, cabotegravir and rilpivirine oral
tablets are taken for approximately one month (at Source:
least 28 days) to assess tolerability to the medicines.
ViiV Healthcare

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 17

Research News

Mind incitement can adjust perspectives
identified with critical thinking

The latest
methods of
stimulating the
brain are being studied

to determine whether

they are able to improve

cognitive performance.

Researchers from Japan

discovered that

stimulation at certain

frequency can affect

thinking processes that

are related to problem-

solving.

In a research study that

was published within the

month of April in

Scientific Reports,

researchers from the

University of Tsukuba

have demonstrated that Professor Masahiro Kawasaki, lead author of the
study. In order to do this, researchers studied the
a non-invasive method of brain stimulation known connection to brain waves and cognition "giving-
up" when participants were performing problems to
as repetitive transcranial magnet stimulation, also solve. They also assessed the effect of rTMS on
brain oscillations , as well as the performance of
known as rTMS, could be utilized to regulate brain tasks. The test involved solving puzzles, and
participants were asked to mark the moment they
activity and cognitive behaviour associated with "gave up" in the course of action.

"giving-up" when solving problems. "We found that the theta-rhythm in the frontal lobe
the brain was linked to "giving-up" and it was the
The rTMS gene has been shown to improve the rhythm of alpha linked with problem-solving
synergy of brain rhythms when performing success," explains Professor Kawasaki.
cognitive tasks. Since specific brain rhythms are
linked to factors of cognitive function, this may Then, they used rTMS to measure certain
provide a significant benefit in helping people frequencies while the participants were performing
improve their cognitive abilities. This is which is the same cognitive task and also measured brain
something that researchers from Tsukuba's waves and the performance of the task.
University of Tsukuba aimed to tackle.

Prefrontal theta rhythms are known to be associated
with cognitive control and conflict resolution, while
alpha rhythms are related to the generation of new
ideas during problem solving. Because rTMS can be
used to alter neural activity, we wanted to investigate
how stimulation at specific frequencies could affect
problem-solving behavior."

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 18

Research News

"The results were very exciting," says Professor This study demonstrates how changing neural
Kawasaki. "Theta-frequency RTMS increased rhythms, such as alpha and theta can reduce the
theta's amplifies and reduced "giving-up" behavior, rumination process, which could help combat
while the alpha frequency rTMS amplitudes were depression-related symptoms. Additionally, this
increased but had no impact on "giving-up". This is research is an important demonstration of how
a significant proof that rTMS is able to alter brain rTMS could be used to modify behaviors related to
oscillatory activities and behavior related to "giving- cognitive performance by modulating brain
up" process." rhythms that are related to tasks.

In times of rumination, an occurrence in depression, Source:
the adaptive "giving-up" behavior can be shut
down. For instance, people may struggle to decide University of Tsukuba
whether to "give to" and concentrate on something
else when particular behavior isn't leading to the Journal reference:
desired outcomes.
Miyauchi, E., et al. (2021) Behavioural effects of
task-relevant neuromodulation by rTMS on giving-
up. Scientific Reports. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-
021-01645-0.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 19

Business News

Practo aims to make conversations on men’s
health mainstream with new campaign

‘Bro Code for Health’

Launches their Movember campaign titled ‘Bro Code for Health’ to establish a dedicated safe space for
men to discuss common health issues

Men face greater health risks than women In line with their overall endeavour to help people
in 58 percent of countries worldwide as prioritize healthcare, Practo aims to bring that much
per a report by WHO and India is one needed focus on men’s overall health through this
among the four G20 countries in Asia where men’s campaign.
health gap is concerning. Putting a spotlight on
men’s health, Practo, India’s leading integrated The platform will act as a sanctuary where millennial
healthcare company, has kicked off its Movember men would be able to talk about their health issues
campaign ‘The Bro Health Code’, early this month. candidly and receive proper guidance to address
them. Practo will continue to provide this support
Ahead of International Men’s Day [which is throughout the year to normalize discussions on
observed on 19th November], the campaign aims to major health concerns of men.
encourage men to prioritize, assess and discuss
important health problems through the ‘bro’ lingo Commenting on the campaign, Srikanth Pinninti,
that millennial men feel comfortable Executive Vice President - Marketing, Practo,
communicating in and can relate to. As part of this says “November or Movember, as we popularly know it, is
campaign, Practo has launched a webpage with a a month dedicated to raise awareness of men's health issues.
section devoted to major men’s health ailments. The But why should talking about men’s health be restricted to
platform will also be home to a ‘guidebook’ that just a month? If anything, the pandemic has taught us to
would act as a guide for men to become more prioritize healthcare, irrespective of our age or gender. This
cognizant of their health. Instructions on self- initiative is a step in that direction. With this campaign, we
examination for various ailments such as testicular are aiming to create awareness about the need to bridge the
cancer would be a part of the playbook. The gap in men’s healthcare and build visibility for health concerns
downloadable version of the section would be made plaguing men. We hope this platform becomes a safe space for
available by the end of November2021. men to discuss health issues that they normally wouldn’t talk
about.”
Over the past few years, there has been a significant
shift towards preventive healthcare for women and As an extension to the webpage, Practo has
children, but interventions in men’s health have constructed the ’Brommunity’, an exclusive men’s
been sparse. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health blog section where important issues would be
more than 70% of the callers to India’s first mental addressed by men’s health experts associated with
health helpline were men. Various subjects Practo.Using the popular term ‘bro code’, the
associated with men’s health are still a taboo in initiative will be highlighted on Practo’s social media
India. pages as well. The brand will encourage ‘bros’ to talk
to each other and consult doctors in order to decode
their health problems. All information on the men’s
health category will be made available as a
standalone page that will surface on the app store
front in the form of a tile.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 20

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 21

Business News

Commemorating COPD Day in the times of
Covid: Mechanical ventilator for COPD patients
can be lifesaving

 COPD Day lies on 17th November this year
 A chronic inflammatory lung disease, it is the second most common cause of death after

heart disease in the country, and people need to be made aware of it
 While oxygen therapy works for some patients, more severe cases require ventilators
 Being a progressive disease, some patients are at high risk of prolonged ventilation
 Both invasive and non-invasive ventilation can work depending on the severity
 Nearly 1.71 lakh Covid patients alone are on ventilators in the country, if combined with

COPD patients this number could rise much higher

While the battle While some of the early symptoms include
against Covid-19 shortness of breath especially after modest
rages on, the physical activity, mild cough, wheezing and
COPD Day is a timely feeling of tightness in chest, the more severe
occasion for spreading and later-stage symptoms would include
awareness and consciousness chronic cough with the need to clear mucus,
about a dreaded disease that bouts of frequent cold, fatigue and lack of
is responsible for the second energy, swelling of feet, ankles and legs, and
most number of fatalities turning blue or grey of lips and fingernails.
after heart disease in the
country. A set of progressive
lung diseases, COPD
comprises a number of
conditions such as
Emphysema and Chronic
Bronchitis impinging on lung
systems and making
breathing difficult for us.

Since COPD is progressive in nature, its onset
is gradual and occurs over a longer time with
the patient often failing to read the symptoms
correctly and timely and fails to get requisite
medical attention on time.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 22

Business News

With Emphysema slowly damaging air sacs in devices,” said Mr. Ashok Patel, the founder
the lungs and disrupting outward airflow, and brain behind Max Ventilator.
Chronic Bronchitis leads to narrowing of
bronchial tubes and building up of mucus “Although many of us don’t realize it and are
which needs to be repeatedly removed through often dismissive of cold, cough and minor
coughing. breathing problems as temporary and seasonal,
a full-fledged COPD condition stealthily builds
“Although Covid-19 is a new phenomenon, up over a period of time. And by the time a
COPD has remained a longstanding challenge patient takes action and gets medical attention,
for health authorities anywhere in the world it is too late and the disease becomes a lifelong
including India. While oxygen therapy is used part of his existence, acutely debilitating and
for some mild cases and non-invasive disruptive of his daily and regular functioning.
ventilation is successfully used for a few cases, And for the more unfortunate, it can even reach
for almost all severe COPD cases, mechanical the terminal stage from where there is no
ventilators have been the go-to devices for return. And in those cases, ventilators can only
caregivers and patients. As such, depending on serve as end-of-life care devices. Research has
the severity of the condition, invasive as well as shown that patients with COPD were much
non-invasive ventilators have been put to great more likely to be admitted to an ICU with
use for COPD patients. In other words, greater lengths of stay during their terminal
whereas a ventilator becomes a longstanding hospitalization, than patients with lung
life-supporting aid for some COPD patients, cancer. Therefore, on this occasion of COPD
for many it turns out to be a lifesaving device at Day, we must educate people on this dreaded
that moment in time. In these times of disease and its symptoms while underlining the
pandemic, along with the surge in demand for need to take early preventive measures, said
ventilators for Covid patients, the continued Dr. Rajesh G Gajara, MD (Medicine),
requirement by COPD patients has further Consultant Physician and Cardiologist,
pushed up the demand for these lifesaving Fortis, Mulund, Mumbai.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 23

Business News

HealthCube Wins the Prestigious “Startup of the
Year” Honour at Smart Bio Awards, Bengaluru
Tech Summit 2021

HealthCube was announced as the winner among some of the biggest and most
innovative tech-based startups for its work towards enabling access to
healthcare in remote locations

HealthCube, a healthtech and point-of-care The Startup of the Year’ award is a distinguished
diagnostics company, has been named as felicitation awarded to the most promising startups
the Startup of The Year’ at the Smart Bio in the domain. Introduced by the Department of
Awards during the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2021. Electronics, IT, BT, and S&T, Government of
The event, attended by luminaries and distinguished Karnataka, the Smart Bio Awards honor path-
personalities from 30 countries, was held at breaking biotech firms that display dynamic
Bengaluru on 18 November. Axio Biosolutions, leadership and cutting-edge innovation to make
Biocon Academy, Biomoneta and NeoDx Biotech outstanding contributions in their respective
Labs also received recognition in different biotech verticals.
categories. Speaking about this, Ms Runam Mehta, Chief
Executive Officer, HealthCube said, “We at
Naftali Bennett, the Prime Minister of Israel, and
Scott Healthcube are solving the problem of access to
Morrison, the diagnostics using a combination of our proprietary
Prime devices and digital health tools. Our integrated
Minister of ecosystem can be used in a range of clinical and
Australia, non-clinical settings across the country. This reward
were some of is a reaffirmation of the value of our mission to
the dignitaries improve health through the early detection of
who attended disease and will motivate us to continue to support
the event the country in its journey to improve the healthcare
virtually. infrastructure.”
Hon’ble
Chief
Minister of
Karnataka
Basavaraj
Bommai; and
Governor
Thaawarchand Gehlot were present at the global
event. South Africa, Vietnam, and UAE were some
of the countries that participated.

Selection for the coveted awards was conducted by
an eminent jury chaired by the President of the
Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises
(ABLE).

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 24

Business News

Adding further, Dr Radha Rangarajan, Chief HealthCube has been consistently winning
Technology Officer, HealthCube said, “We are accolades on the national as well as international
privileged to receive this award and be counted front since its inception.
among the most innovative startups in Karnataka.
Our devices enable the easy testing and monitoring It was among the final four in the telemedicine
of key health parameters. Versatile and easy to segment at the UCSF Health Awards 2019, and was
operate, our products are positively impacting awarded 2nd place in the 'Innovation' category at
under-served communities.” the first edition of the Fair of Ideas, Inventions,
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Technology -
HealthCube’s best-in-class products provide results FIEBaT organized by The Angola Ministry of
in 1 to 15 minutes for over 30 tests across various Higher Education, Science, Technology and
parameters. The results are saved electronically on Innovation during the 6th National Conference on
the cloud with the help of an Android-based Science and Technology held in 2019. HealthCube
application and accessed easily on mobile phones designed and implemented a COVID-19 screening
and laptops. The devices can be used in the absence solution that saw its partner, Tech Mahindra receive
of electricity or internet, so they are ideally suited for the 'Best Technology Solution for COVID19'
remote, far-flung locations which lack access to felicitation at ET HealthWorld Intelligent Health &
doctors and diagnostic labs. By providing rapid and Tech Awards 2020. The company also received the
accurate results, HealthCube is enabling positive SKOCH order of merit in 2021. In collaboration
patient-centric interventions, saving time and cost. with CDDEP, HealthCube competed for the
Over 2.5 million tests have been conducted and “Trinity Challenge Award” by MIT Solve where it
more than a million lives have been touched so far was among the top 16 out of 380 applications in
2021.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 25

Business News

2 out of 3 people under the age of 40 are at risk
of prediabetes in India

Fitterfly’s prediabetes campaign points out the need for timely detection of prediabetes to
arrest the booming burden of Diabetes

Prediabetes - a warning sign the body gives Around 5000 people from top 10 cities of India
you before progressing to type 2 diabetes - is took the test and people were asked questions about
a condition that not many people know their health profile, family history of diabetes, other
about. It is especially appalling considering that health conditions and lifestyle. The online survey
India is already the diabetes capital of the world with generated an automated report and classified the
80 million people diagnosed with diabetes. This people into various risk profiles for diabetes and
number is expected to grow to 130 million by 2030 prediabetes- low, moderate or high. Detailed
if something drastic is not done. India already has reports and recommendations to prevent
90 Million people with prediabetes and given that progression to diabetes were shared after the test
70% of them will convert into type 2 diabetes in the with all participants.
next 5-10 years, you can see where the math adds
up. The data was then studied using statistical analysis
for the calculation of relative risk of prediabetes
Since Type 2 diabetes is a slow and progressive with factors like age, BMI, physical activity, family
condition and doesn’t have any major symptoms in history of diabetes and the presence of high blood
the initial few years, it usually goes undiagnosed for pressure.
a long time. So, one can only expect the chances of
a person being diagnosed with prediabetes to be Dr Arbinder Singal, CEO & Cofounder of Fitterfly
even lesser. said “, This is a first-of-its-kind study in India which
highlights the high metabolic risks that people need
Fitterfly Healthtech, leading Indian Digital to take seriously by using an online risk calculator
Therapeutics company, pioneered the made for the Indian population -
#FightPrediabetes campaign, in partnership with www.fitterfly.com/prediabetes-risk-test. The keys
top doctors of India, Roche Diabetes, USV and Lal are to lose weight and bring BMI under 23 and
Path labs. increase physical activity. I was also diagnosed to
have prediabetes in 2019 and with a strong family
The campaign created awareness about prediabetes history of diabetes, I was really worried. I used
and reached over a million Indians via online events, advanced technology built by Fitterfly to
social media, corporate reach, etc. It was kickstarted understand blood sugar response to various foods,
on 14th August - 90 days before the diabetes day - making right food choices and getting a variety of
to draw attention to the prediabetes situation in physical activity to reverse my prediabetes. We
India. As part of this, a nationwide study was would suggest that prediabetes is the right stage for
conducted to assess the risk of prediabetes in Indian us to work together at national level to fight the
adults, the first-of-its-kind initiative in India. The incoming tsunami of diabetes.”
test is an evidence-based, clinically-validated tool
for assessing an individual’s risk of Pre-diabetes, Out of the people who completed the risk test, 74
following international protocols for prediabetes % had BMI (≥ 23 Kg/m2) in the range of obese or
detection such as American Diabetes Association overweight category, 59 % had a family history of
and Centers for Disease Control (USA). diabetes and 44 % were not active as per the World
Health Organiation recommendations of 150 mins
of moderate physical activity per week.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 26

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 27

Business News

Risk among younger population alarming The data has surpassed previous projections and
that’s really concerning. It’s time people under 40
65.6% of people under 40 years of age had a take diabetes seriously too and lose the weight
moderate to high risk of prediabetes. Men were at necessary to reduce their risk,” says Dr Sanjay Kalra,
1.5 times higher risk compared to women. Past President Endocrine Society of India and Vice
President, South Asian Federation of Endocrine
In people with the age of 40 or above, 95.6 % had a Societies (SAFES).
moderate to high risk of prediabetes, with 97.9%
men and 89.1 % female at an increased risk of Weight - the single most important risk factor
prediabetes. Men were at 1.1 times higher risk than that can be modified Around 90% of people fell
women in this age group. in the overweight or obese category as per their BMI
(above >23).
“The data presented by Fitterfly is very much in line
with what we see in our practice, even more so after They have a 1.8 times higher risk than people with
the pandemic and lockdown. a healthy BMI.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 28

Business News

The risk increases by 4.4 times if the person was According to our research, losing around 8 kg
overweight or obese and above 40 years of age. It weight could potentially reduce your prediabetes
shockingly increases by almost 40 times if the risk from high to moderate and losing another 12 kg
person has a family history of diabetes in addition could potentially reduce the risk from moderate to
to being over 40 and falls in the overweight or obese low.
category. Hence, the rule of 40.
Summary points:
If you are Above 40 Have a family history of
diabetes Have a BMI above 23 High risk of prediabetes seen in study population

You have 40 times higher risk of diabetes/ People under the age of 40 were also seen at high
prediabetes. You must do something about it. risk

Sustainable weight loss - the only key to People with family history of diabetes, age over 40
reducing prediabetes risk and BMI over 23 have a 40 times higher risk of
diabetes and prediabetes and should undergo
Risk factors like age, family history of diabetes are HbA1c test or Fasting blood sugar.
unfortunately, not modifiable. However, factors like
weight and activity are completely in our control. Weight loss of 8-12 kg in at risk population will cut
down the risk of diabetes by 50%

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 29

Business News

Cannabis Wellness Startup Awshad Ventures Into
the Pet Care Domain, Launches Full Spectrum
Vijaya Oil for Pets

Off late, cannabis Awshad’s Full Spectrum Vijaya Oil, which can be
wellness bought (and consumed orally by a pet or mixed in
products across their food) with a Doctor’s prescription, is now
the globe have gained available as a 30ml, 300mg tincture on Awshad’s
huge popularity and website (www.awshad.com), as well as on
traction in terms of their aggregator websites like CBD Store, Itshemp and
effective use in ensuring more. Additionally, the product will also be
physical and mental well- available via select vets in all major cities of
being for pets and humans India. Notably, all the products of Awshad are
alike. Various research developed are licensed under the Ministry of
studies from the past have AYUSH, Government of India, and are tested and
shown that cannabinoids certified at labs in Florida, USA – thereby having
(compounds that are COA (certificate of analysis), which is accessible on
found in cannabis) Awshad’s website in a bid to maintain complete
seamlessly interact along transparency with its consumers.
with endocannabinoid
receptors within our pets’ Speaking on the launch, Shivam Singhee, Co-
(mammals’) nervous Founder & CEO, Awshad says, “We are glad to
systems, and thereby can launch Awshad’s wellness product for pets, which is
improve their health and well-being significantly focused majorly on dogs and cats and other small to
and help them in managing various types of medium-size animals that live in our homes.
disorders/health issues.

In view of the above, South Delhi based cannabis
wellness startup Awshad has now ventured into the
pet care segment with the launch of its latest
product first of its kind in the Indian market –
Awshad Full Spectrum Vijaya Oil for Pets –
which combines the best principles of Ayurveda
with intensive lab research to provide solutions for
ailments that pets endure with age and other severe
illnesses. Given that pets age much faster than
humans, and many older pets often suffer from
ailments such as arthritis, anxiety, stress, digestive
issues, chronic pain and cancer, this product
developed by Awhad will be instrumental in
relieving the pets’ sufferings from these ailments,
and hence enable even the pet parent(s) to feel
relieved.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 30

Business News

As this product is prescription based, a pet parent This oil will help the pets to get relief from common
willing to buy the product can get in touch with their everyday problems that they suffer from. For
vet directly, or via our website where we have instance, long car journeys and firecrackers’
Doctors on-boarded for setting up consultations for bursting during festivals can lead to anxiety in our
our customers’ convenience. Awshad, as a brand pets, about which they cannot communicate directly
that is committed to the welfare of all, has taken to the parent or caregiver. A prescribed dosage of
upon itself the responsibility to cater to the needs of the Full Spectrum Vijaya Oil can help them feel
our pets and give them their best life by providing relieved and at ease, and keep anxiety at bay over the
them a scientifically-proven cure in the form of long term. Also, severe cases of epilepsy, cancer,
Vijaya Oil which contains CBD and other active and arthritis in pets can be managed with this oil
ingredients to the many unsaid problems that the which possesses best-in-class therapeutic and
pets may suffer from. We are confident we will healing properties. In the future, Awshad will
be able to make our customers and their furry continue innovating and producing more such
friends happy and disease-free with our intervention cannabis wellness products that are ailment-
based on the wonders of cannabis wellness.” focused, effective and affordable.

Richa Jaggi, Co-founder & CMO, Awshad – About Awshad-
who was the chief architect behind the introduction
of Awshad’s pet care product – derived her Awshad-Cannabis Wellness Startup is in a bid to
inspiration of working on the same after she lost her provide best-in-class cannabis wellness solutions to
pet dog Champ to cancer (perennial tumor) in Indians, South-Delhi-based startup Awshad has
November 2019. Sharing her story, Richa Jaggi kickstarted its India operations with the launch of
says, “Seeing Champ suffer from immense pain its first flagship product range in the Indian market
broke my heart. I was informed that CBD would named ‘Awshad Full-Spectrum Vijaya Oil’-
help him largely by lessening the unbearable pain. made using ‘Vijaya’ or cannabis extract in two
But I could not source good quality CBD in India potencies 1500mg and 4500mg. Full-Spectrum
and hence procured some from Amsterdam, but it Vijaya Oil- available in the form of oral tinctures--
was too late by then. The day I lost Champ, I made can be purchased with a medical prescription and
a promise to myself and him that I will used under medical supervision.
produce high quality cannabis-extract oil for pets
in India; and now after two years of research and Awshad is a clinically tested, vegan and gluten-
hard work, we at Awshad have been finally able to free Full-Spectrum CBD products are made using
fulfill the promise with the launch of our Full- highest quality cannabis extract in order to provide
Spectrum Vijaya Oil for pets. Hence, this product is better health and wellness to people across all ages
an ode in the loving memory of Champ, and will go -- especially those dealing with lifestyle ailments
a long way in ensuring that no other pet parent goes such as stress, insomnia, anxiety, chronic pain,
through the ordeal that I personally went epilepsy and inflammation, among many other
through.”The Full Spectrum Vijaya Oil for Pets by issues. Awshad’s products are intensively lab-tested
Awshad consists of cannabis sativa leaf extract, and certified in the United States, and are licensed
which through scientific research has been proven under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of
helpful for ailments that our pets endure with age India. Awshad is a gateway to the possibilities of
and severe illnesses. cannabis use in reimagining the way in which we
live, think & feel.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 31

Hospital News

Apollo D2D Duathlon 2021 reaches new
heights with Mumbai Chapter

Apollo D2D Duathlon 2021 - aims to create awareness, support and raise funds for the
treatment of childhood cancer

Apollo D2D
Duathlon
2021 India’s
First Virtual Duathlon

has grown stronger

with the Mumbai

chapter roping in

goodwill ambassador

and encouraging more

participants to join the

noble initiative with

Apollo Cancer Centre

– Navi Mumbai.

Apollo D2D aims to

create awareness,

support, and raise

funds for the treatment

of childhood cancers.

Raj Vadgama ultramarathon runner from Mumbai Apollo aims to close this survival gap by raising
also joined hands today for Apollo D2D Duathlon funds to support and aid the children with pediatric
event as the Goodwill Ambassador for Apollo D2D cancers, by allocating the needed resources and
Duathlon 2021. In addition to raising awareness giving access to life-saving treatment. The proceeds
around Pediatric Cancer, Apollo’s Dawn to Dusk from Apollo D2D Duathlon 2021 will directly go
(D2D) Duathlon also promotes the need for a into addressing the need of the hour and securing a
healthy lifestyle to ensure a future with lower cancer future for the children.” Sharing his thoughts, Dr
risk. All funds raised through Apollo D2D Anil D’Cruz, Director, Oncology Services,
Duathlon 2021 will give young cancer patients, Apollo Cancer Centres, said “Children with
identified by Apollo’s team of oncologists, a chance cancer are presented late with more advanced stage,
to live and be the future we can all proudly look poor awareness, delayed diagnosis and treatment
forward to. abandonment are the major hurdles in management.
Our focus now should be on Improving
Commenting on the initiative, Santosh accessibility & holistic support. We should also look
Marathe, Unit & COO, Apollo Hospitals, said, at strengthening the cancer registries for capturing
“Apollo has lead oncology care and set standards of nationwide data, improving awareness of childhood
treatment in India. By being the leaders in the space, cancer among caregivers and healthcare workers for
it also becomes our responsibility to address serious early recognition and improving accessibility of
issues such as childhood cancer. We have seen a childhood cancer care services beyond major cities.”
surge in number of pediatric cancers cases especially
over the last few years, which is definitely a cause of
concern. The main challenges are lack of awareness,
timely detection & treatment and finally financial
constrain.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 32

Hospital News

Sharing his thoughts, Raj Vadgama, Apollo About Apollo Cancer Centres:
Hospital Mumbai’s Goodwill Ambassador and
a marathon runner, said "It is my honor to stand THE CANCER CARE LEGACY:
with Apollo Cancer Centre, Navi Mumbai for this BREATHING HOPE INTO LIVES FOR
noble cause which is for the welfare for children and OVER 27 YEARS
a fight against childhood cancer. It breaks my heart
that so many children suffer every year due this Cancer care today means 360-degree
disease. These kids are the next generation of stars comprehensive care, which requires
standing at the starting line for the race of their life, commitment, expertise and an indomitable
so it is our duty to prepare them, protect them, spirit from the cancer specialists
guide the and support them for the journey ahead."
Apollo Cancer Centres- are present across 14
Dawn to Dusk Duathlon, D2D - is an initiative by cities and has 1000 dedicated beds, over 240
like-minded souls with a dual vision - to contribute oncologists to oversee delivery of high-end
to a cause while promoting a healthier lifestyle precision Oncology Therapy. Our oncologists
through running and cycling. The event is deliver world-class cancer care following an
supported & organized by Apollo Cancer Centres organ-based practice under competent Cancer
& Neville Endeavors Foundation. Registrations Management Teams. This helps us in delivering
are open till November 13th 2021. exemplary treatment to the patient in an
environment which has consistently delivered
To participate in the Apollo D2D Duathlon 2021, an international standard of clinical outcomes.
participants have to register on the website
www.apollod2d.com the participants can register Today people from 147 countries come to India
and complete the race on their own within the time. for cancer treatment at Apollo Cancer Centres.
The participants can run, walk, or cycle to cover the With the first & only Pencil Beam Proton
distance of 3KM – 125 KM at their own pace and Therapy Centre in South Asia & Middle East,
location of their choice. People can choose to cycle Apollo Cancer Centres has all that is needed to
or run or both. The participants can use simple strengthen the battle against cancer.
watch / stopwatch to note their time or can go for
GPS watches, smart-watches, or activity tracking
apps on smartphone.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 33

Hospital News

Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road
introduces De-addiction Programme

A one of its kind dedicated programme for de-addiction in a multi-
specialty hospital set up

To combat
the growing

incidence of

substance use

disorder in the state and to

provide comprehensive

care to the patients in a

multi-specialty

setup, Fortis Hospital,

Bannerghatta

Road launched

a dedicated programme

for de-addiction today.

A one of its kind de-

addiction programme aims

to treat substance use As per National Drug Treatment Centre,
AIIMS (NDDTC), about 2.8% of Indians aged
disorder through a multidisciplinary 10-75 years (31 million individuals) are current users
of any cannabis product and about 0.66% (7.2
approach. The programme was launched by Shri million individuals) are problem users and 0.25%
(2.5 million individuals) are dependent users.
Harish Pandey- DCP-South Bangalore in the

presence of Mr Ashish Bhatia-COO-Fortis

Healthcare, Dr. Samir Parikh-Director-

Department of Mental Health & Behavioral

Sciences, and Dr. Manish Mattoo-Zonal In the year 2020, there has been 4,066

Director-Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore. cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and

The De-addiction programme will focus on Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS), leading
detoxification, managing withdrawal, maintaining
abstinence, and endeavor to bring the whole body to seizure worth more than Rs 50 crore and the
back to good health. The programme will offer
treatment through In-patient management at the arrest of 5,291 people across the state as per
hospital with daily psychiatry and clinical
psychology consultations, Comprehensive Karnataka Home Minister, Shri Basavaraj Bommai.
diagnostic psychological evaluations, Screening with
psychiatric rating scales, Medication-assisted Also, a study by International Journal of
detoxifications, Individualized psychotherapy
sessions, Family and group therapy sessions, Contemporary Medical Research
Medical management of comorbid physical
conditions, Nutrition and yoga. (IJCMR) states that the prevalence of cannabis use

is found in Chandigarh (29.33%), followed by

Punjab (12.39%), Bangalore / Karnataka

(2.90%), Lucknow / Uttar Pradesh (1.20%) and

Gujarat (1%).

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 34

Hospital News

Shri Harish Pandey, IPS, DCP-South Samir Parikh, Director, Fortis National
Bangalore, said, “We are uncovering a widespread Mental Health Program, Fortis
prevalence of drug abuse among the young population in the Healthcare, said, “Substance abuse needs to be given
city. Although, we are working hard to the cut the chain of importance by all stakeholders in society.
demand and supply of drugs in the city, eradication is only
possible with tough measures at enforcement and judicial A comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach is integral to
levels. At the same time de-addiction is also important as the prevention and treatment of addictive disorders.
every person made free of drug abuse is an ambassador
against the menace of drugs. Therefore, I am glad to be part The De-Addiction program at Fortis Hospital
of this launch event of Fortis De-addiction programme and Bannerghatta Road is an important step in this
hope this programme will add value to our initiative of direction.”
"war against drugs" and we would be able to make this
city free from substance abuse. Dr. Venkatesh Babu, Consultant -
Psychiatrist, Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore,
Mr Ashish Bhatia, COO, Fortis Healthcare, said “Covid-19 has taken a toll on the mental health
said, “With the rise in mental health cases during covid which has resulted into a growing dependence on substance
pandemic and with the lack of specialised centers, having a use during the pandemic. People with Substance Use
dedicated institute for treating the disease is the need of the disorder may be aware of their problems but find it difficult
hour. We are happy to launch this programme which will to stop even if they want to. These dependent behaviours
provide the citizens of this state and the country access to may lead to physical and psychological problems as well as
mental health experts and a world class treatment option interpersonal conflicts at home and workplace, thus a de
all under one roof. This is our first specialized programme addiction program is crucial to help these dependents make
in Bangalore which adheres to our commitment of offering a comeback in life. At this center, we offer an all-inclusive
high quality clinical care with focus on outcome of care for team approach where an individual undergoes
our patients. We hope this programme will help in detoxification in a controlled hospital setting to prevent
improving the lives of as many patients as possible.” withdrawal complications along with management of
comorbid medical, psychiatric and psychosocial problems.”
Dr. Manish Mattoo, Zonal Director – Fortis
Hospitals, Bangalore said, “Fortis Hospital, An observation at Fortis Hospital,
Bannerghatta Road is one among the very few hospitals to Bannerghatta Road indicates that there has been
offer a dedicated de addiction programme for patients in a an increased number of patients with alcohol use
multi-specialty hospital set up. Over the years, we have disorder during the pandemic which has resulted in
realized that every disease requires highly specialized care liver, Urology, Oncology and Cardiac cases. After
combined with a multi-disciplinary set up to manage the alcohol, Cannabis and Opioids are the next
disease better. As part of the programme, we are offering a commonly used substances in India.
one-week detoxification program and a two-week
Detoxification with relapse prevention program to help
people make a comeback. The programme is backed by our
mental health experts along with specialist doctors.

It will have a group of psychiatrists, clinical psychologists,
counselling psychologists, yoga therapists, nutritionists, a
24*7 stress helpline number and a physician or a disease
specialist intervention whenever required in order to help
the patients tackle the disease better.”

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 35

Hospital News

Pristyn Care grows 4X, to open 1000 Surgical
Centres in 50 Cities by March 22

 1.5 million patients consulted, becomes market leader in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)
 MIS market in India is pegged to touch $53 billion by 2022
 To facilitate $250mn patient financing by FY27

Pristyn Care, today announced that it has We will be the largest surgery player in the next five
quadrupled its surgery count since January years with 2000+ surgical centres and very well-
2021 and aims expansion with 1000+ rounded 1500+ experienced surgeons and doctors
surgical centres and 50+ cities including doubling with avg. experience of 15 years and we will operate
the overall employee count by March 2022. in 100+ cities & towns. We will continue to invest
in the latest technologies to ensure faster patient
A recent report pegged the Minimally Invasive recovery. Apart from it we will build in-house tech
Surgery (MIS) market at $80 billion by 2025*. to ensure the smoothest surgery experience ever for
Pristyn Care has emerged as a leading player in the patients and their families”.
Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) market in recent
times. The company has raised over $83 million
including $53 million in the last round in April 2021,
led by Tiger Global and Sequoia among others and
aims to close the next round soon.

Commenting on the growth, Co-Founder With a 70+ NPS (Net Promoter Score) score,
Harsimarbir (Harsh) Singh, said “Patient Pristyn Care has differentiated itself by ensuring a
confidence in Pristyn Care has been at an all-time ‘24/7 Personal Care Buddy’ is allotted to every
high since the start of the year. Our investment in patient. This coordinator ensures A to Z of surgery
patient-first processes, onboarding 400+ highly - allocating the right doctor to patient, diagnostics,
experienced surgeons, expansion to 40 cities & remote insurance clearance, admission & discharge
towns, has ensured we are able to serve more formalities, patient financing (EMI) and post-
patients every year. By March 22, we will reach surgery doctor consultation - is taken care of. This
1000+ surgical centres and expand to 50+ cities & ensures patients and their family members focus on
towns and also double our employee count. Tech recovery rather than running around. To encourage
being our backbone, 25% of the hires will be preventive healthcare, Pristyn Care is providing free
engineers. Exciting perks & benefits apart from OPD (Doctor Consultation) till December 2021.
ESOPs are offered to hire the best talent. Our
ESOP value has increased 100X since inception and Pristyn Care has achieved the title of ‘Centre Of
in our last round, we offered a buy back option for Excellence’ for Laser Piles, Laser Circumcision,
many employees. Future hires will continue to be Stapler Hemorrhoidectomy, Stapler Circumcision &
rewarded above and beyond their salary. More Cosmetic Laser Gynaecology among others.
employee-first policies will be announced soon.” Supporting the narrative of Indian healthtech, the
company has successfully built a network spanning
He further added, “Over $30 million Patient 800+ surgical centers and 400 experienced
Finance has been facilitated since inception and are surgeons, with an aim to bridge the healthcare
looking to 5X ($250mn) in five years. Getting accessibility gap in India by offering full-stack
patients to prioritize their health is our focus and by surgical healthcare services with patient centricity at
FY27 we aim to serve 6% of all the Surgery the core. Spotlighted as the top brand advertising
patients in India” on digital in the hospital/clinic category during
January to August 2021, Pristyn Care
Dr Vaibhav Kapoor, Co-Founder laid out the has significantly increased its investment to raise
growth plans till FY27, “In a short time we have brand awareness.
emerged as a leader in all Minimally Invasive
Surgeries.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 36

Hospital News

HCG Cancer Hospital Conducts Free Breast
Cancer Screening Camp & Awareness talk for
KSRTC Women Workforce

Marking breast cancer awareness Speaking on the occasion Dr. Premitha R,
month, under the campaign Consultant Radiation Oncologist, HCG Cancer
#INYOURBrEaSTINTEREST Hospital Bengaluru said, “We appreciate the
HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru organized a efforts and contribution of KSRTC workforce.
free breast cancer screening camp and Breast cancer is the commonest cancer among
awareness talk session for KSRTC women women in India. HCG has undertaken this initiative
workforce at Shanti Nagar KSRTC depot. The to create awareness on the importance of breast
objective was to educate and create awareness on cancer screening and early detection. There is need
the impact of breast cancer among women. The to create a culture where every woman is aware that
dignitaries present were Mr. Venugopal R, a monthly breast self-examination, annual clinical
Divisional Controller, KSRTC, Dr. Premitha R, self-examination and mammogram could save a
Consultant Radiation Oncologist, HCG Cancer woman’s life. The key message should be early
Hospital Bengaluru and Mr. Mohan Kumara, detection and treatment saves lives.”
AVP, Operations and Projects, HCG Cancer
Hospital Bengaluru. As a part of Breast Cancer awareness initiative HCG
will be conducting breast cancer screening camp
Around 60 KSRTC woman employees underwent for BBMP women Pourakarmikas at Ulsoor
breast cancer screening and more than 150 KSRTC Maternity hospital. With these awareness camps, the
employees participated in the health talk delivered HCG urges more and more people to come forward
by Dr. Premitha R. The screening and health talk and get checked for symptoms and treatment
intended at creating awareness on breast cancer options.
symptoms, precautions, and the importance of
regular breast screening among women. About HCG Cancer Centre Bangalore

Mr. Shivayogi C. Kalasad, Managing Director, HCG Cancer Centre located in Bangalore has been
KSRTC, said “We are glad that HCG has taken up revolutionizing cancer care since its inception and
this initiative for our employees. It is important to has helped patients achieve longer and better lives.
create awareness about breast cancer and its impact. Since its inception in Bangalore, it has grown to
As an organization, raising awareness on breast become the largest network of Cancer Care
cancer and other disease is critical for the wellbeing Hospitals in India. HCG was the First Cancer
of our employees. Awareness surrounding breast Centre in India to introduce Cyclotron and PET-CT
cancer is incredibly important as early detection, technologies. Patients have access to
often through screening, can catch the disease when complete cancer care, from prevention, screening,
it is most treatable. Through this screening camp diagnosis, and treatment to rehabilitation and
and awareness talk our employees will be aware of supportive/palliative care. The diagnostic facility at
the symptoms, preventions and treatment module.” HCG Cancer Centre Bangalore is equipped with
state-of-the-art imaging technologies like 3T MRI,
PET-CT, and SPECT.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 37

Product Launches

Unimeditrek Pvt ltd The equipment automatic tissue processor is expected
Completed Automatic for achieving finner specimen processing on each run.
vacuum tissue processor An open system capable of using standard cassettes
installation in Govt. Medical form open market. This latest state-of-the art
college Thoothukudi Tamil technology equipment can be updated remotely by our
Nadu, India expert technician for all the late enhanced
processing/monitoring techniques formulated by our
Source: Microbioz Health continuous research and development work.

Thoothukudi Tamil Nadu — Unimeditrek Pvt For demo and tissue processor inquiries, please email
ltd, is a Delhi, India based Histopathology [email protected]
equipment company mainly focus on
About Unimeditrek Pvt ltd

It is indeed our pleasure and privilege
to Introduce Unimeditrek Pvt. Ltd. as an indigenous
manufacturer of World Class Equipment. We are an
established Manufacturing House dealing in
specialized Lab Equipment. All our products are
manufactured in Collaboration with German

manufacturing of

Histopathology equipments and

consumables, today announced

the successful installation of

Automatic vacuum tissue

processor in Govt. Medical

college Thoothukudi Tamil

Nadu, India.

We would like to thank all our Company using the finest durable material and
customers for playing a pivotal component. Unimeditrek Pvt. Ltd. equipment is build
role in our growth. With your to last which symbolizes state of art engineering. Our
kind support we are proud to products are ISO 9001; Certified and European CE
share that recently marked as a mark of International acceptability in
Unimeditrek has installed its terms of quality workmanship and performance. We
50th Tissue Processor, have a team of qualified and technically sound people
making it the most trustable, to undertake the job up to entire satisfaction of
wanted, product in the authorities concerned.
Laboratories looking for the very best results,
flexibility to be always in touch with their machine
via remote control worldwide— Mr. Animesh Arora,
Director Unimeditrek Pvt Ltd.

The implementation of this automatic equipment will
enable the expansion of histopathology lab capacity of
Govt. Medical college Thoothukudi Tamil Nadu,
India.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 38

Product Launches

Unimeditrek Pvt ltd Automated Slide Staining Machine,
Reports Installation of manufactured by Unimeditrek is the only of
Automatic Slide Staining its kind giving customers option to run 12
Machine at Action Cancer simultaneous program at same time, be it
Hospital Delhi, India PAP, CRYO, GYMSA, Or H&E or
combination of all. The equipment has a
Source: Microbioz Health feature of auto correcting errors and re-
calibrate itself and offer customer the best
results, speed, flexibility, remote control,

value for money,
any auto stainer
has to offer today in
the market.

For demo and tissue

processor inquiries,

please email

[email protected]

About Unimeditrek

Pvt Ltd:

It is indeed our pleasure

and privilege to

Introduce Unimeditrek

Pvt. Ltd. as an

indigenous

manufacturer of World

Class Equipment. We

are an established Manufacturing House dealing in

Unimeditrek Pvt ltd, is a Delhi, India based specialized Lab Equipment. All our products are
Histopathology equipment company mainly
focus on manufacturing of Histopathology manufactured in Collaboration with German
equipments and consumables reports Installation of
Automatic Slide Staining Machine at Action Cancer Company using the finest durable material and
Hospital, Paschim Vihar, Delhi, India.
component. Unimeditrek Pvt. Ltd. equipment is build
The newly installed Automatic Slide Staining Machines
are providing highest flexibility with up to 12 parallel to last which symbolizes state of art engineering. Our
functional staining programs as well as Large number
of bath stations with extremely little consumption. products are ISO 9001; Certified and European CE

marked as a mark of International acceptability in

terms of quality workmanship and performance. We

have a team of qualified and technically sound people

to undertake the job up to entire satisfaction of

authorities concerned.

Unimeditrek Director, Rishu Arora, stated,
We are honored that when it comes to high
end Histopathology Equipments, our
customers think about us, Unimeditrek. We
are privileged to share with you our 10th
successful installation in another
prestigious institute.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 39

Product Launches

Saliva Testing Shows A recent study published in the international
journal Bipolar Disorders showed a high correlation
Promise for Patients with between saliva and serum lithium levels and that
the saliva-serum ratio within an individual could
Psychiatric Disorders robustly predict a patient’s serum lithium level.
These findings suggest that saliva could in fact be
Lithium is a common medication used for lithium monitoring among patients with
prescribed to patients with psychiatric mood disorders.
disorders, namely bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, and depression. It is used as a Over the course of 18 months, researchers
mood stabilizer and lessens the intensity of manic collected 171 saliva samples from 75 patients with
episodes, with particular benefit in reducing diagnosed bipolar disorder, schizophrenia,
suicidality. While highly effective, the drug schizoaffective disorder, major depressive
requires routine blood monitoring, which can be disorder, or generalized anxiety disorder.
uncomfortable, expensive, and inconvenient for According to the team, findings from the study
patients who must travel to clinical labs for will fill critical gaps in the literature on the efficacy
frequent blood testing. of saliva for drug monitoring. While a large body
of work dating back 30 years does exist,
Research from the University of California, researchers say that sample sizes were small,
Irvine’s Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary techniques were varied, and older methods were
Bioscience (IISBR) points to saliva testing as a used. The team believes that this new study, as
potential alternative to blood sampling. well as the ongoing work being conducted at
Compared to blood sampling, noninvasive saliva IISBR, will open the door for the development
collection is easier, requires less processing, and and implementation of novel salivary testing
can be carried out in any setting. methods to improve treatment options for
patients taking lithium medications, as well as the
psychiatric patient experience overall.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 40

Product Launches

Olympus Launches Third The international jury includes experts from both
Global Image of the Year science and the arts, including Wendy Salmon,
Contest director of the Hooker Imaging Core Facility at
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Story source/Credit: Olympus School of Medicine; Geoff Williams, manager of
the Leduc BioImaging Facility at Brown
Olympus’ third annual Global Image of University; Harini Sreenivasappa, microscopy
the Year Life Science Light Microscopy facility manager of the Cell Imaging Center at
Award is now open for entries through Drexel University; Rachid Rezgui, research
Jan. 31, 2022. instrumentation scientist at New York University
Abu Dhabi; Siân Culley, postdoctoral research
associate at the MRC Laboratory for Molecular

Each year, the competition recognizes the best in Cell Biology at UCL; Stefan Terjung, operational
life science imaging worldwide to inspire and manager of the Advanced Light Microscopy
showcase art through microscopy. Contestants Facility at EMBL Heidelberg; Wen-Biao Gan,
may enter by uploading up to three images, with director of the Institute of Neurological and
a description of the equipment used, at the Psychiatric Disorders at Shenzhen Bay
Olympus website. Winners will be selected by a Laboratory; and Anne Beghin, research assistant
jury and announced in April 2022. professor at MechanoBiology Institute, National
University of Singapore.All entries will be
Contest Details evaluated based on artistic and visual aspects,
scientific impact, and microscope proficiency.
Prizes include an Olympus SZX7 stereo
microscope with a DP28 digital camera for the More information about the Global Image of the
global winner and an Olympus CX23 upright Year Life Science Light Microscopy Award,
microscope for the regional winners in Asia, including jury members’ biographies, last year’s
Europe, and the Americas. winning images, and the full terms and
conditions, can be found at the Olympus website.

Featured Image: A collage featuring the 2020
Global Image of the Year Life Science Light
Microscopy Award winners. From left: Image of
the Year 2020 – The Global Winner, Werner
Zuschratter (Germany), Whole rat embryo three
channel large scale confocal image of a fixed and
cleared rat embryo.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 41

Product Launches

Two channels show different autofluorescence Writing in BioScience, Anthony Ricciardi, of
McGill University, and colleagues describe the
sources of the tissue, whereas the third channel dangers posed by such organisms and outline an
approach to address the threat.
shows the skeleton stained by alizarin red; Image
The authors caution that biological
of the Year 2020 – Regional Winner (Europe, contamination endangers both ecosystems and
human well-being. “Owing to their massive costs
the Middle East and Africa), Grigorii to resource sectors and human health, biological
invasions are a global biosecurity issue requiring
Timin (Switzerland), Collagen fibers (second rigorous transboundary solutions,” say Ricciardi
and colleagues.
harmonic generation) and dermal pigment cells
And that threat may be more immediate than
(autofluorescence) in African house snake previously anticipated. Despite considerable
microbial caution among space agencies, say the
embryonic skin; maximal intensity projection of authors, “bacterial strains exhibiting extreme
resistance to ionizing radiation, desiccation, and
10 confocal slices; Image of the Year disinfectants have been isolated in NASA ‘clean
rooms’ used for spacecraft assembly.”
2020 – Regional Winner (Asia-

Pacific), XinPei Zhang (China), Scales collected

from the wings of over 40 species of butterflies

were photographed individually and finally

assembled into this image; Image of the Year

2020 – Regional Winner (Americas), Justin

Zoll (U.S.A.),Polarized light microscopy

panorama of l glutamine and beta alanine

crystals. Photo: Olympus

Will Diagnostic Tests Be However, outlined within the article is a possible
the First Line of Defense
Against ‘Alien’ Invasions? approach to addressing this alarming scenario: the

emergent field of invasion science, in which

practitioners study the causes and consequences

of organism introductions beyond their evolved

ranges. “Research in invasion science has

produced novel insights

for epidemiology, rapid

evolution, the

relationship between

biodiversity and

community stability, and

the dynamics of

predator–prey and

parasite–host

interactions, among many

other concepts,” say

Ricciardi and colleagues.

The era of space exploration brings with it They go on to explain
a new risk: invasion. The peril comes not that “Protocols for early
from little green men arriving on flying detection, hazard assessment, rapid response, and
saucers but, rather, from microbiological containment procedures currently employed for
contamination of Earth from extraterrestrial invasive species on Earth could be adapted for
environments and vice versa. dealing with potential extraterrestrial
contaminants.”

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 42

Product Launches

The authors highlight a number of insights from StemFit for Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) is the
invasion science that could be brought to bear on latest addition to the StemFit family of stem cell
issues of space biosecurity, such as the fact that media. It is a chemically defined and
insular systems such as islands, lakes, and remote human/animal origin free medium, optimized for
habitats are most vulnerable to invasion threats. the isolation and culture of MSCs from bone
Similarly, invasion biology has delivered insights marrow (BM-MSC), umbilical cord (UC-MSC),
about the difficulty of invasion forecasting and and adipose (ADSC) under serum-free, human
the crucial importance of early detection in platelet lysate free conditions.The fully chemically
managing microbial threats. Ricciardi and defined formulation of StemFit for MSC
colleagues suggest that portable real-time DNA minimizes lot-to-lot variation and enables highly
sequencing technologies, coupled with databases consistent and superior cell expansion compared
of known organismal contaminants, could enable to serum containing media. Containing no animal
rapid responses. or human-derived components minimizes risk of
immunogenic contamination, making StemFit for
Despite their value for space biosecurity, the MSC also extremely safe to use. Extensively
authors state that invasion biologists have yet to tested, StemFit for MSC offers exceptional cell
be involved in Committee on Space Research expansion with high levels of marker expression
planning. This should change soon, they argue, and differentiation potential. For best results,
because “greater collaboration between invasion Amsbio recommends using StemFit for MSC
biologists and astrobiologists would enhance with iMatrix-511 as a cell culture substrate.
existing international protocols for planetary
biosecurity—both for Earth and for For further information, visit Amsbio.
extraterrestrial bodies that could contain life.”
Featured image: Using StemFit for MSC to differentiate Adiposite
Amsbio Optimized and Chondrocyte cells. (Courtesy: Amsbio)
Medium for Expansion
of Mesenchymal Stem New Rapid Antimicrobial
Cells
Susceptibility Testing
Story source/Credit: AMSBIO
System Delivers Results
Amsbio, Abingdon, UK, announced
StemFit for MSC, a new and optimized in 6 Hours
medium for expansion and maintenance
of Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Thermo Fisher Scientific and Q-linea have
launched the ASTar System—a rapid
antimicrobial susceptibility testing (rAST)
system that provides true minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) results in ≈ 6 hours.
Conventional AST methods can take up to 72
hours to yield a result.

“When we say rapid, we mean it. With
approximately six hours to result, the ASTar
System can process up to 12 samples in parallel
for the patients who need it most. Equipped with
a panel design containing the broadest
combination of antimicrobials and dilution ranges
in a single test for Gram-negative bacteria*,
laboratories can deliver truly targeted therapy,
with only two minutes of hands-on time,” says

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 43

Product Launches

Delivers fast, accurate
results in ≈ 6 hours direct
from positive blood
cultures.

Fully automated load-

and-go system that

requires just two minutes of

hands-on time per sample.

Comprehensive AST

panel with a format design

containing 23

Romain Lecomte, senior director, clinical product antimicrobials, covering
marketing, Thermo Fisher Scientific
microbiology. 235 dilutions.

The fully automated, easy-to-use ASTar System The ASTar System is now commercially available
utilizes advanced imaging techniques and from Thermo Fisher Scientific in Europe, with
algorithms to monitor bacterial growth, removing plans for launch in other regions to follow
the need for subculture, which alone can take an pending relevant regulatory approvals.
additional one to two days. The system is based
on the ISO 20776-1 AST frozen broth *Based on commercially available systems market overview
microdilution methods, and as such it produces undertaken by Q-linea – May 2021
the all-important MIC results physicians can use
to deliver more personalized antibiotic treatment Product is CE marked but not 510(k)-cleared and not
to the critically ill. available for sale in the U.S. Availability of product in
each country depends on local regulatory marketing
The reduction in time-to-result may be a factor in authorization status.
reducing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as
clinicians often prescribe broad-spectrum Q-linea AB is the legal manufacturer of ASTar®.
antibiotics while awaiting laboratory guidance on ASTar® is a trademark of Q-linea AB. All other
more targeted therapy. This practice is believed to trademarks are the property of Thermo Fisher Scientific
contribute to the emerging pandemic of AMR1, and its subsidiaries. The ASTar System is distributed
which threatens to claim 10 million lives a year by globally by Thermo Fisher Scientific.
20502. Reducing AMR could be expected to
reduce mortality rates by around 40%3, and could Featured Image: Thermo Fisher Scientific and
also support a decrease in healthcare costs by Q-linea launch the ASTar System—a rapid
reducing hospital stay and delivering per-patient antimicrobial susceptibility testing (rAST)
cost savings of between $2,500 and $20,0004. system. Photo: Thermo Fisher Scientific

“We believe the ASTar System represents a References
turning point in the pursuit for more accurate,
reliable and rapid AST. It uses gold standard- 1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P
equivalent techniques to deliver actionable results MC4165128/
in approximately six hours and provides 2https://www.who.int/docs/default-
physicians with the true MIC information they source/documents/no-time-to-wait-securing-
can use to guide personalized treatment options,” the-future-from-drug-resistant-infections-
says Jonas Jarvius, CEO of Q-linea. en.pdfsfvrsn=5b424d7_6
3https://jcm.asm.org/content/55/1/60.short
4https://jcm.asm.org/content/55/1/60.short

The ASTar System, developed by Q-linea and
distributed by Thermo Fisher:

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 44

Product Launches One reason could be that the drug has an
extremely narrow therapeutic range: Below a
Lithium Imaging certain blood serum level of lithium, most
Method Sheds Light patients do not respond, but, at a slightly higher
on Bipolar Disorder level, they can experience severe side effects.

Since 1949, lithium has been a mainstay for Being able to measure lithium concentrations
treating bipolar disorder (BD), a mental directly in a patient’s neurons could help scientists
health condition marked by extreme mood understand how lithium works as a drug, and then
swings. However, scientists still don’t have a clear they could use this knowledge to optimize the
understanding of how the drug works or why dosage. Yi Lu, PhD, then a chemistry professor at
some patients respond better than others. the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
and colleagues wanted to develop a method to
To explore this area of study, researchers from detect and measure lithium in living cells at
the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign therapeutically relevant concentrations.
and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, have
developed a method for imaging lithium in living The researchers used in vitro selection to identify
cells, allowing them to discover that neurons a DNA enzyme (DNAzyme) that catalyzes the
from BD patients accumulate higher levels of release of a fluorescent molecule from an RNA
lithium than healthy controls. Their findings probe, thus producing a signal, only when lithium
appear in ACS Central Science. is present. The DNAzyme was 100 times more
selective for lithium over other metal ions, such
According to the National Institutes of Health, as sodium and potassium, that are present at
4.4% of U.S. adults experience BD at some time much higher concentrations in human cells, and
in their lives. Studies have shown that lithium- it was sensitive enough to detect lithium at
based drugs can help stabilize mood and reduce concentrations within the therapeutic range.
suicide risk in people with BD. However, only
about one-third of BD patients respond As a proof of concept, the researchers collected
completely to lithium treatment, and the rest skin cells from BD patients and healthy donors,
respond only partially or not at all. reprogrammed them to stem cells, and then
differentiated them into neurons.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 45

Product Launches

The team treated the neurons with the Østfold Hospital selected the winner of the
DNAzyme-based sensor and a therapeutically Patient At-Home Test Innovative Partnership
relevant dosage of lithium. Using fluorescence through an open public bidding process,
microscopy, the researchers found that immature participated in by about 10 company teams,
neurons from BD patients and healthy controls including some of the world’s major diagnostic
accumulated similar levels of lithium, but mature companies, and reviewed by multidisciplinary
neurons from BD patients accumulated higher committee of experts in diagnostics, laboratory
levels of lithium than mature control neurons. medicine, medicine, patientcare, technology, e-
The new lithium sensor is a powerful tool to health, and other fields.
better understand the effects of lithium in treating
BD, the researchers say. The Innovation Partnership will “develop user-
friendly, innovative and quality-assured
Essenlix, Roche Norway Wins devices/instruments and services that contribute
to safe patient sampling and analysis even at
for Patient At-Home Testing home.” The partnership has a 12-
month development phase funded by Østfold
Solution Hospital, followed by the hospital’s purchase

phase.

“This is a very

innovative and

exciting project.

We strongly

believe that such a

solution can be of

great value to the

patient in everyday

life,” says Anne

Eva Bjerke, head

of section at the

Centre for

Laboratory

Medicine of

Østfold Hospital,

a member of

Østfold Hospital project selection committee,

Essenlix Corporation, a developer, and the manager of the project.
manufacturer, and provider of mobile
instant health test solutions for both The winning bid by the Roche Norway, Essenlix,
personal and clinical use, announced that and Diffia team, led by Roche, offered
Essenlix, in partnership with Roche Norway, has the RED@home solution, which uses Essenlix’s
won Norway Østfold Hospital System’s “Patient iMOST platform as the test instrument/device to
At-Home Test” Innovation Partnership that will be used by patients at home and delivers test
use Essenlix’s iMOST as the test platform. results to doctors and hospitals via the cloud,
utilizing the software that will be jointly
developed by Essenlix, Diffia, and Roche, as well
as Roche’s IT, QC and other expertise.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 46

Product Launches

“We are delighted to be part of providing such an MYND Diagnostics
important healthcare diagnostic solution, which Researching Alzheimer’s
has the potential to revolutionize current medical Biomarker
practice,” says Dieter Weinand,
executive chairman of Essenlix.

Essenlix iMOST (instant Mobile Self-Test) is an
instant, mobile phone-based health test platform
for both personal and clinical use. iMOST is
designed to allow a person to perform many
diagnostic/health tests on themselves, accurately,
anywhere, anytime, using a single drop of body
fluid and a smartphone, within about 60 seconds,
with the result sent immediately to professionals.

iMOST allows for a single instrument to MYND Diagnostics has commenced
perform health test for many sample types clinical research on a testing procedure
(blood, saliva, urine, swabs, sputum, breath, for diagnosing and monitoring
mucus, tissues, etc.) and for many assay types Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) utilizing the company’s
(immunoassay, colorimetric assay, cytology and proprietary anti-inflammatory peptide (MAP)
pathology, nucleic acid assay, etc.). biomarker.

Essenlix is an integrated company with design, MYND Diagnostics will be initiating a clinical
development, prototyping, and manufacturing all validation of the MAP biomarker in AD by
in-house. Essenlix has developed and built unique collecting known blood samples of AD and
manufacturing lines with a capacity of over 10 quantifying the presence of MAP against control
million iMOST test cards per year. samples. This validation is planned to start in first
quarter 2022. Pending those results, the company
“We are very proud to have been selected by anticipates that a submission for FDA approval
Roche Norway as its partner and to win the could take place as early as second half 2022 to
Innovation Partnership. Both are further prepare for commercialization and making the
validation of the innovation and uniqueness of MAP Biomarker available to the public through
Essenlix’s iMOST platform,” says Stephen Y. healthcare practitioners.
Chou, PhD, MA, BS, founder and co-chairman of
Essenlix. “The Patient At-Home Test Partnership “Our research team has begun to research and
is an excellent vehicle to further demonstrate the explore the potential application of our
capabilities of the Essenlix iMOST platform for proprietary MAP biomarker for use in the
both, clinical and personal use. This is an identification of Alzheimers disease,” says Lyle
important step forward to making the iMOST Oberg, MD, CEO of MYND. “The ability to
platform a solution to the unmet need of instant make an early, accurate, dependable diagnosis in
personal health testing and providing a key Alzheimer’s Disease patients thereby allowing for
missing link between personal health, remote earlier intervention is a huge step forward in the
monitoring and treatment, and e-health services. fight against this terrible disease.

Featured image: Essenlix’s iMOST Instant
Mobile Self-Test. Photo: Essenlix

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 47

Product Launches

We are extremely excited that the MAP Motic Announces Class II
biomarker has the potential to bridge that gap.
The company’s ultimate goal specific to Device Approval from
diagnostics is to provide a cost-effective, easy to
use diagnostic test kit that can be administered Health Canada
from anywhere with a dried blood spot. Helping
families and healthcare practitioners with an MoticEasyScan systems are now
effective tool for early diagnosis, monitoring and certified for clinical use in Canada,
treatment for the millions impacted by this allowing pathologists there to use the
disease will be a significant innovation in central diagnostic tools to scan, share, and use whole-
nervous system medicine.” slide images for primary diagnosis. This product
line of whole-slide scanners from Motic, a
The company’s goal is to develop a diagnostic test provider of digital pathology solutions based in
to monitor and potentially diagnose inflammatory Vancouver, Canada, recently received a Health
diseases of the central nervous system such as Canada Class II Medical Device License.
Alzheimer’s Disease.

The company’s diagnostic test is intended to give According to the company, MoticEasyScan
healthcare providers an objective monitoring tool solutions are designed to address one of the
to improve patient outcomes by providing more largest remaining barriers to entry into the digital
tailored and efficacious treatments. pathology workflow: cost of ownership. Digital
pathology is widely acknowledged as an essential
Approximately 44 million people worldwide live technology to improve patient care, reduce
with AD or a related form of dementia. It is diagnosis time, and to support pathologists with
the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., killing flexible and easy access to the tools required to
more people than breast cancer and prostate improve healthcare outcomes. However,
cancer combined. Only approximately one in stakeholders, hospitals, and their partners have
four people with the disease get struggled to accommodate what can be an
diagnosed. Further, the Alzheimer’s Disease overwhelming cost to implement a digital
diagnostics and therapeutics market was valued pathology solution.
at $6.6 billion in 2020, and it is expected to reach
approximately $9 billion in 2026, registering a Given the historically high cost of whole-slide
CAGR of nearly 5.36% during the forecast scanning systems, initiatives to implement the
period, 2021-2026. technology are challenged by lengthy in-depth
analysis projects to support the business case and
investment in the technology.

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 48

Product Launches

With Health Canada approval, MoticEasyScan For more information, visit Motic Digital
whole-slide scanners offer a cost-effective Pathology.
pathway to support these efforts while also
providing a pathway for future expansion. Featured Image: The MoticEasyScan product
line of whole-slide scanners from Motic, a
According to the company, Motic focuses on provider of digital pathology solutions based in
affordability and streamlining adoption so that Vancouver, Canada, recently received a Health
stakeholders can realize the benefits of digital Canada Class II Medical Device License. Photo:
work immediately. Customers can choose from Motic Digital Pathology
solutions providing single-slide scanning through
to high-volume slide-scanning capabilities. OptraSCAN, Inspirata
Partner to Strengthen
Today’s shortage of pathology expertise around Digital Pathology
the globe is leaving many remote areas in Adoption
vulnerable positions and constantly increasing the
workload for active pathologists. With a digitized
workflow, a pathologist can receive a patient’s
slides within minutes instead of weeks. Frozen
section samples can be read (and controlled)
remotely in real-time, cutting arduous travel for
the pathologist. Even global projects that were
shut down due to recent travel restrictions can
now safely continue on the cloud with digitally
scanned biopsies.

“With this milestone of a Class II Medical Device Digital pathology solutions providers
License achieved in Canada, Motic will assist OptraSCAN and Inspirata Inc. have
Canadian health system partners to fully realize announced a partnership to allow
the benefits of embracing digital pathology,” says pathology labs, healthcare networks, and
Nicholas Chan, director of digital pathology for hospitals to acquire digital pathology images
Motic. “It ultimately means easy remote access, without any upfront cost and display them within
faster turnaround time, better workflow the Inspirata Dynamyx workflow solution.
efficiency, improved collaboration among
colleagues around the world and, collectively, “We are excited to be working with Inspirata to
better healthcare for all.” support their mission to digitize and automate the
entire oncologic pathology workflow,” says Abhi
MoticEasyScan whole-slide scanning systems are Gholap, founder of OptraSCAN. “Our on-
available in Canada through Quorum demand scanning model will allow pathologists to
Technologies Inc., which has been deploying digitize their slides without any capital cost.”
digital pathology solutions in the country for
more than 15 years. OptraSCAN’s partnership with Inspirata marks
the latest extension to its affordable pay-per-use
“Quorum provides the vision, flexibility, scanning devices. Shared Inspirata and
dedication, and understanding of the digital OptraSCAN customers can now use native
pathology community, necessary to ensure OptraSCAN image files from within Dynamyx.
longevity and adoption of digital pathology,” says
John Arbuckle, president and CEO of Quorum
Technologies Inc. “We are pleased to now be able
to offer the MoticEasyScan whole-slide scanning
systems as part of our integrated clinical solutions
to improve patient care and assist pathologists
with a truly functional workflow.”

Microbioz India, November 2021 Edition | 49

Product Launches

Facilitating slide digitization, the integration of New testing capacity complements
OptraSCAN provides cloud-based whole-slide EKF’s test kit manufacturing and
imaging systems with the flexibility to choose point-of-care diagnostic instrument
from 15-slide capacity to 480-slide capacity. The business
system is equipped for confocal, brightfield,
fluorescence, and frozen-section applications. EKF Diagnostics, the global in vitro diagnostics
company, announces that it has acquired Advanced
“Inspirata is delighted to work with its friends at Diagnostic Laboratory LLC (“ADL Health”), a Texas
OptraSCAN to accelerate global adoption of based PCR-focused testing laboratory certified under
digital pathology,” says Mark Lloyd, PhD, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
founder and executive vice president of Inspirata. (“CLIA”) for high-complexity molecular diagnostics
“OptraSCAN’s status as an approved partner testing. ADL Health’s CLIA-certified laboratory
guarantees the seamless integration of its leading covers the fields of clinical, forensic and
whole-slide image scanners with Inspirata’s microbiological tests. The business has ISO 15189
Dynamyx digital pathology workflow software.” Medical Laboratory accreditation giving it recognition
in 44 countries and reflecting ADL Health’s
Featured Image: OptraSCAN and Inspirata Inc. commitment to high standards.
have announced a partnership allowing healthcare
organizations to acquire and display digital Using its expertise in PCR testing, ADL Health also
pathology images within the Inspirata Dynamyx provides COVID-19 testing needs for dozens of
workflow solution. Photo: OptraSCAN and Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. For
Inspirata example, it is a pre-travel COVID-19 testing partner
for Air Canada and United Airlines. In addition, ADL
EKF Diagnostics acquires Health is expanding its range of testing capabilities
ADL Health molecular across a broader suite of healthcare
diagnostic testing applications. Under EKF’s ownership, further
laboratory investment is anticipated to support the deployment
of additional equipment and personnel in order to
Story source: EKF Diagnostics service customer demand.

ADL Health delivers a range of rapid and accurate
COVID-19 testing services. Considered the gold
standard, due to its precision, ADL’s COVID-19 rRT-
PCR test has the capability to detect infection in its
earliest stages and ensure a quick turnaround time. On
receipt of a test at the lab, results are delivered within
24 hours. This is accomplished by adapting the test to
a fast, reliable high throughput format which provides
results for thousands of samples on a daily basis. ADL
is working around the clock to ensure healthcare
providers, managed care facilities, employers, state and
local governments and more, from across the U.S.,
secure the results they need for their workforces and
communities.

In addition to corporate and group high-volume
COVID testing, ADL Health provides a range of
testing options including HomeCollect™ which is a
kit-based home testing service delivering results back
within 24 hours. ADL also has a rapid response team
ready to be deployed to a business or organization for
on-site testing within hours to help prevent loss of
business due to a COVID shutdown.

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