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4 BIO CONTENT BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

COVER STORY 21............................................................................................................................................................................

COVER
DESIGN BY:
DOMINIX STRATEGIC
DESIGN PVT. LTD.

TECHNOLOGY

adding fDuRelIVtoE OUT

The pressure on the healthcare sector to provide
a solution for the COVID-19 pandemic is massive.
As a result, the life sciences sector is adopting new
technologies to quickly devise a way out to beat this
crisis. Many companies and academic institutions in
India are moving headfirst in this direction with support
from the technology sector both locally and globally.
Technology adoption is indeed playing a key role in
better understanding and addressing the crisis with the
right amount of fuel being added by the tech giants.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com BIO CONTENT 5

COVID-19 TOP VIDEO

31 Anish Bafna,
Chief Executive Officer
India inching to be global PPE hub & Managing Director,
The Healthium
Q&A Group, Bengaluru
talks about how we
34 can strengthen our
healthcare system to
“Biotech will get woven be more prepared in
into more diverse science future.
education programmes”
Dr Ramgopal Rao S, Scan the QR Code »

Academic Manager, Ankit Kedia,
Biocon Academy, Bengaluru Founder, Caremont,
Bengaluru shares
37 his views on
how simulation
“We aim to make molecular technology is
diagnostics based on RT-PCR changing the face
technology mainstream in India” of Indian medical
Hasmukh Rawal, education.

Managing Director, Scan the QR Code »
Mylab Discovery Solutions, Pune

COVID-19

40

Reviving trends
for healthcare economy
Dr Dharminder Nagar,

Member- FICCI Health Services Committee
and Managing Director, Paras Healthcare,
Gurugram

REGULARS Finance News...............................17 People News................................41
Start-up News..............................18 Academic News...........................44
BioEdit..........................................06 WHO News...................................20 R&D News.....................................45
BioMail..........................................08 Supplier News..............................48
Policy and Regulatory News.......10
Company News............................14

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Merck, the vibrant M and SAFC are trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or
its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Detailed
information on trademarks is available via publicly accessible resources.
© 2020 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
The life science business of Merck operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada.

6 BIO EDIT BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

A case of lost credibility?

The revelation was not merely shocking but healthcare and medical research.
was hitting the core of confidence built up This whole issue of anti-HCQ studies and even
among the professionals over the years by ‘The
Lancet’ and the ‘New England Journal of Medicine’. the anti-HCQ propaganda through other media also
The editors of the two prestigious medical journals brought several doctors together across the globe
appeared to have expressed their exasperation over contesting the studies. In US, Frontline Doctors held
the pressure put by pharma companies. They seemed White Coat summit in the capital “to combat the
to have used the word ‘criminal’ to describe erosion of misinformation and propaganda” against HCQ. Their
science in the process. video went viral with 17 million views.

At the meeting, Dr Richard Horton, Editor- Dr Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus
in-Chief, The Lancet, apparently admitted, response coordinator, was criticised for appearing
“….pharmaceutical companies are so financially on TV and encouraging people to use Remdesivir
powerful; they are able to pressure us to accept papers instead of HCQ stating that science did not support
that are apparently methodologically perfect, but their the effectiveness of HCQ. Dr Anthony Fauci, Director
conclusion is what pharmaceutical companies want.” of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
This was revealed by none less than a cardiologist Diseases (NIAID) in US, too attacked a positive study
and former French Health Minister in an interview on the drug by two doctors. Those two Henry Ford
while providing insight into how series of negative Health System doctors in an open letter to Dr Fauci
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) studies were published in said the persisting political climate has made any
these reputed journals. He quoted the editors saying so objective discussion about the drug impossible. Several
in a closed-door meeting held some time back. US doctors have now come forward in support.

Dr Horton had written in 2015 itself that the Three Indian doctors, in an article in Indian
case against science is straightforward: much of the Journal of Medical Ethics (IJME), have observed
scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be that HCQ appears to be courting greater scrutiny on
untrue. But the editors’ reported recent confession safety, risk and efficacy. They have observed that a
assumes very serious significance on the backdrop of subtle push is being given to Remdesivir for COVID-19
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affecting millions, treatment. Their observation is important considering
claiming several lives and jeopardising several the huge price difference between the two drugs.
economies across the globe. The significance is even
more serious in view of the controversy surrounding In general, the role of Dr Horton during the
HCQ for the treatment of COVID-19 since the pandemic has come under severe criticism from
controversy began with the research studies against the media with the prestigious US publication ‘The
the drug published in these journals. New Yorker’ summarising it as, “In a manner that is
unusual for the editor of a scientific journal, Horton
In June, The Lancet had to retract a study showing has leaped into the politics of the pandemic” and he
HCQ is not useful in treating COVID-19 following has sought “to merge almost entirely the scientific
doubts were raised by the doctors over the authenticity mission of The Lancet with a political purpose.”
of the data. Dr Horton described the whole issue as
“a monumental fraud”. Thereafter, once again several It is in this context that the confession of the
doctors raised doubts over the authenticity of other editors of the medical journals needs to be viewed and
anti- HCQ studies published in these journals. And its importance will strike rightly. But mere statements
on that backdrop the editors confessing over the from the editors are of no use, what is required are
financial power of pharma companies to manipulate firm corrective steps to enhance the credibility of the
the studies is amounting to destroying their reputation publications once again.
as trustworthy publications in a crucial sector like
Dr Milind Kokje
Chief Editor

[email protected]



8 BIO MAIL BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Vol 18; Issue 8; August 2020

Acknowledgements Thank you for the feature on COVID-19
epidemiology. Lots of useful information
Thank you for sharing our thoughts in in the whole issue. Great job.
the cover story. Keep up the good job.
- Dr Lalit Kant, New Delhi
- Praveen Gupta, Gurugram
Corning is thankful for the interview
The article titled ‘Building healthcare opportunity. Lovely feature.
ecosystem around a digital nervous
system’ looks great. Thank you. - Dhira Deka, Gurugram

- Arun Kumbhat, Gurugram

Vol 18; Issue 9; September 2020 MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications

Publisher & Managing Editor: South Region New Delhi INTERNATIONAL
Ravindra Boratkar Alok Srivastava Dr Manbeena Chawla
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 Readers are advised to will not be liable for any  Contents and completeness of
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Publisher, Editor and accept no responsibility



10 POLICY AND REGULATORY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Mylan receives DCGI approval for TB drug pretomanid

Mylan, a global pharmaceutical to as BPaL for the treatment of will initially make it’s pretomanid
company, recently announced adult patients with pulmonary available in India through a
that the Drug Controller General extensively drug-resistant TB donation of 400 treatment
of India (DCGI) has approved (XDR-TB), treatment intolerant courses to the NTEP, which
the anti-tuberculosis drug or non-responsive multidrug- provides free, high-quality
pretomanid for conditional access resistant TB (MDR-TB). Through anti-tubercular drugs and care
under the National Tuberculosis the approval from DCGI, Mylan across the country to ensure that
Elimination Programme (NTEP), the treatment is accessible to
making India the second country patients, who need it the most.
in the world to provide regulatory The company also will provide
approval for this product. commercial access to NTEP of
Pretomanid has been approved as $364 for a six-month treatment
part of a three-drug, a six-month course and will be manufacturing
all-oral regimen consisting of its pretomanid product both for
bedaquiline, pretomanid, and domestic and global supply in
linezolid, collectively referred India.

Cabinet approves MoU DST launches Rs 15 Cr
with Zimbabwe for fund to support joint
traditional medicines R&D with Russia

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has
Minister, Narendra Modi has given ex- launched the India-Russia Joint Technology Assessment
post facto approval to Memorandum of and Accelerated Commercialization Programme in
Understanding (MoU) signed between partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of
India and Zimbabwe on cooperation in Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Foundation for
the field of traditional systems of medicine Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASIE) of the
and homeopathy. This will provide a frame Russian Federation. The programme will connect Indian,
work for the cooperation between the two and Russian Science & Technology (S&T) led small and
countries for the promotion of traditional medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups for joint
systems of medicine and homeopathy and R&D for technology development and for cross-country
technology adaptation. The programme will run through
will mutually benefit the two countries two annual cycles with up to five projects to be funded
in the field of traditional under each cycle. Projects are being sought on leading
medicine. The main objective S&T focus areas, such as IT, medicine & pharmaceuticals,
of the MoU is promotion in biotechnology, robotics and drones, to name a few. On
the regulation of teaching, behalf of DST, FICCI will implement the programme in
practice, drugs, and India. Over a period of two years, the DST will fund up to
drugless therapies Rs 15 crore to ten Indian SMEs/startups and FASIE will
within the scope of provide similar funding to the Russian projects.
the MoU; supply of all
medicine materials and

documents necessary for demonstration and
reference in achieving the objectives specified
within the framework of the MoU; exchange
of experts for the training of practitioners,
paramedics, scientists, teaching professionals
and students; accommodation of interested
scientists, practitioners, paramedics and
students in institutions for research,
educational and training programmes.



12 POLICY AND REGULATORY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

DoP issues guidelines for bulk Health Ministry
drugs parks & medical devices parks employs
e-vaccine
The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda intelligence
has launched four schemes of Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) for network
promotion of domestic manufacturing of bulk drugs and medical devices
parks in the country, two each for bulk drugs and medical devices parks. The Electronic Vaccine
The guidelines are available on the DoP website. The list of 41 products Intelligence Network
contained in the scheme guidelines will enable domestic production of (eVIN) is an innovative
53 bulk drugs. Financial incentives will be given to a maximum of 136 technological solution aimed
manufacturers selected under the scheme as a fixed percentage of their at strengthening immunization
domestic sales of these 41 products manufactured locally with required supply chain systems across
level of domestic value addition. As per the guidelines, state government the country. This is being
can make only one proposal of medical device park under this scheme. implemented under National
The proposed park shall not be less than 150 acres in area. For North Health Mission (NHM) by
Eastern states and hilly states i.e. Himacha! Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UT Ministry of Health and Family
of Jammu & Kashmir and UT of Ladakh, the area of proposed park shall Welfare. eVIN aims to provide
not be less than 100 acres. real-time information on
vaccine stocks and flows,
Govt releases report on and storage temperatures
indigenous API production across all cold chain points
in the country. This robust
Indigenous production of Active on engineering and scale aspect system has been used with the
of technology development; requisite customization during
Pharmaceutical Ingredients need for mission mode chemical the pandemic for ensuring
engineering with defined targets continuation of the essential
(APIs) needs to be scaled up to for uninterrupted synthesis of immunization services and
molecules and to create mega protecting our children and
a level where the production drug manufacturing clusters pregnant mothers against
with common infrastructure in vaccine preventable diseases.
is economically viable, says a India; the technology platform Over 41,420 vaccine cold chain
to be developed for biocatalysis handlers have been introduced
report, which identified a list towards reducing process to digital record-keeping by
steps for cost optimization and training them on eVIN. Nearly
of APIs that need prioritized for fluorination; investment 23,900 electronic temperature
on priority in fermentation loggers have been installed on
manufacturing and the associated sector of large capacity and vaccine cold chain equipment
scale supporting techno- for accurate temperature
advantages. The report economic feasibility, attention review of vaccines in storage.
to technologies like hazardous
titled ‘Active Pharmaceutical reactions, flow chemistry,
cryogenic reactions, and
Ingredients- Status, Issues, membrane technology.

Technology Readiness, and

Challenges’ was brought

out recently by Technology

Information Forecasting and

Assessment Council (TIFAC), an

autonomous organization under

the Department of Science &

Technology, Government of India.

The major recommendations

given in the report include focus

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© 2020 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and/or its affiliates. All Rights
Reserved. Merck, the vibrant M, Millipore, and NovaSeptum are trademarks
of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany or its affiliates. All other trademarks are
the property of their respective owners. Detailed information on trademarks
is available via publicly accessible resources.

MK_AD6566EN 32855 08/2020

The life science business
of Merck operates as
MilliporeSigma in the
U.S. and Canada.

14 COMPANY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

NanoChemiqs Wockhardt announces
COVID-19 vaccine
introduces world’s partnership with UK

first hybrid Mumbai based Wockhardt has entered into an agreement
with the UK government to fill-finish COVID-19
face mask vaccines. The manufacturing will be undertaken at
CP Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Wockhardt based
New Delhi based company NanoChemiqs in Wrexham, North Wales. As per the terms of the
has launched a reusable and antiviral agreement, the company has reserved manufacturing
face mask, Dubbed ViroWipe FM01. capacity to allow for the supply of multiple vaccines to the
The face mask is claimed to be the finest UK government in its fight against COVID-19, including
face mask in the market right now with AZD1222, the vaccine co-invented by the University of
properties of both N95 and normal cloth Oxford and its spinout company, Vaccitech and licensed
masks. Its proprietary anti-viral trap and by AstraZeneca. In the UK, Wockhardt is one of the largest
kill technology makes it a unique product suppliers in the United Kingdom National Health Service
that not only ensures proper filtration of (NHS) for over 20 years, has had a presence in Wrexham
contaminants but also offers four anti-viral for over two decades, and employs over 400 people at its
layers and 6 levels of extra protection. 612,000 square feet high-tech manufacturing facility.
Thereby, making it
a 99.95 per cent
safe face mask.
The face mask has
been equipped
with non-metal
nanotechnology
making it reusable
up to 90 gentle
washes. Since the
nanotechnology treatment of the mask
effectively reduces the virus and bacteria
infectivity on contact, it can function as
a constant sterilization solution. Thereby
making the face mask ideal for both
industrial workers and normal citizens.

RJ Group forays into PPE space

RJ Group, a leading plans to produce 3200 units (SITRA) and are manufactured
manufacturer and exporter of of PPE kit per day from each from Defence Research and
hospitality products in Mumbai, of its manufacturing units. To Development Organisation
has forayed into the healthcare ensure their quality, products (DRDO) approved factories.
space with the launch of its are made out of the South India Furthermore, these kits consist
reusable personal protective Textile Research Association of SITRA approved PPE fabrics
equipment (PPE) kit.
In this segment the and adhere to CE, FDA,
company is offering ISO 13485 quality
a range of safety standards. These kits
products like surgical are designed from the
gown, coverall suit, world’s leading safety
doctor’s gown and gear manufacturer
apron, ICU coverall for DuPont’s Tyvek Fabric
medical professionals. and also from India’s
Under its healthcare renowned Jindal Fabric
venture the company and other leading fabric
manufacturers.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COMPANY NEWS 15

Sai Life Sciences Biological E inks
opens new R&T licensing agreement
centre in Hyderabad with BCM

Hyderabad based contract development & manufacturing Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in the
organization (CDMO) Sai Life Sciences has recently US and Hyderabad based Biological E (BE)
announced the inauguration of its new research and have announced a licensing agreement
technology (R&T) centre in Hyderabad. The new R&T for the development of a safe, effective
facility has several unique aspects such as intelligent & and affordable COVID-19 vaccine. BE
ergonomic lab design to enhance safety and productivity, has licensed the recombinant protein
advanced automation for seamless data capture during COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed at
process development, lean & 5S approach to enhance Baylor. The company engaged in license
productivity, and collaborative workspaces for engendering negotiations with the BCM Ventures team,
innovation. The 83,000 sq.ft. facility houses state-of- part of Baylor College of Medicine, after
the-art research capabilities and advanced technology initial discussions on Baylor’s technology
platforms, augmenting the company’s capabilities in and how it could possibly inform a vaccine
providing superior scientific solutions to its pharma and to address the current global pandemic.
biotech innovator customers globally. It has 24 chemistry The company will leverage its past
labs with 250 fume hoods, analytical labs, a fully equipped experience for the further development
technology suite, and a dedicated process safety lab. and commercialization of the vaccine
Through this initiative, named Sai Nxt, the company is candidate, which currently is produced
investing over Rs 1000 crore to expand and upgrade its using a proven yeast-based expression
R&D and manufacturing facilities, induct top-notch global technology. The current focus is on
scientific and leadership talent, strengthen automation and transfer of the technology for BE to initiate
scale-up of the manufacturing process
data systems, and above all raise the and undertake further development of the
bar for safety, quality and vaccine candidate.
customer focus.

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Merck, the vibrant M and Millipore are trademarks of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Detailed information on trademarks is available via publicly accessible resources.
© 2020 Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany and/or its affiliates.
All Rights Reserved.

16 COMPANY NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Gennova develops mRNA vaccine against COVID-19

The Department of safety, immunogenicity, mRNA vaccine candidate,
Biotechnology (DBT) has neutralization antibody activity HGCO19, has all the necessary
facilitated the establishment in the rodent and non-human arsenal to guide the host cells to
of first-of-its-kind mRNA primate models. The company is make the antigen -spike protein
based vaccine manufacturing working aggressively to ensure of the virus, reported to interact
platform in India. The DBT has first human injection by the end with host cells receptor, and
provided seed funding for the of the year, subject to Indian supported by lipid inorganic
development of Pune based regulatory approvals. The novel nanoparticle (LION) as a
Gennova Biopharmaceutical’s delivery vehicle. The neutralizing
novel self-amplifying mRNA- antibody response of the vaccine
based vaccine candidate for in mice and non-human primates
COVID-19. In collaboration with was comparable with the sera
HDT Biotech Corporation in from the convalescent patients
the US, Gennova has developed of COVID-19, above the USFDA
an mRNA vaccine candidate recommended titre of 1:160 for
(HGCO19), with demonstrated neutralizing antibodies.

Cadila Pharma Biocon Biologics,
unveils Ritucad Voluntis to bring digital
for blood cancer therapeutics for insulins

Ahmedabad based Cadila Pharmaceuticals Biocon Biologics India, a subsidiary of Bengaluru based
recently announced the launch of biosimilar Biocon, and Paris based Voluntis, a leader in digital
Rituximab for India market. Biosimilar therapeutics, have announced a global collaboration
Rituximab is used for treatment of blood agreement between Biocon Biologics’ subsidiary Biocon
cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, and will be Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia and Voluntis to develop and distribute
launched under the brand name Ritucad. innovative digital therapeutics supporting people with
Ritucad is used in the treatment of Non- diabetes on biologics therapy. The licensing agreement
Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood related will make Biocon Biologics, one of the first insulins
cancer. Every year there are more than 28,000 companies to offer a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-
new cases of Lymphoma in India. Cadila has cleared and CE-marked, highly validated digital
been committed towards providing high quality therapeutic product, Insulia, to type 2 diabetes patients,
and affordable care for the patients. Ritucad is across several markets in the world. Insulia provides
the second biosimilar in a series of biosimilar automated insulin dose recommendations enabling
products planned by the organization this people with diabetes to self-manage their condition and
year and will be made available in a single healthcare teams to remotely monitor progress. Insulia
dose vial of two strengths, 100 mg is the first digital therapeutic with regulatory clearance
and 500mg. Cadila Pharma is to provide automated titration recommendations for all
working towards strengthening its types of basal insulins. Once developed, the Insulia digital
biosimilar portfolio and is investing companion will be offered to people with Type 2 diabetes
into launching more biosimilar using Biocon Biologics’ insulins, in key global markets.
products in the future. The pharma
giant has recently launched
Bevasizumab biosimilar, which is a
humanized monoclonal antibody,
recommended in multiple indications under
the brand name Bevaro; and NuPTH, which is
an osteoporosis biosimilar of Forteo used for
the treatment of osteoporosis and in patients
with increased risk of fracture.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com FINANCE NEWS 17

Biocon Q1 FY21 Zydus Cadila’s Q1 FY21
revenue stands net profit up by 50%
at Rs 1,690 Cr
For the first quarter businesses across India
Biocon Ltd, an innovation-led global ended June 30, 2020, geography have shown
biopharmaceuticals company, has announced Ahmedabad based Zydus gradual improvement
its consolidated financial results for the fiscal Cadila reported net profit on a month-on-month
first quarter ended June 30, 2020. The of Rs 454 crore, up by 50 basis during the quarter.
consolidated revenue for Q1 FY21 stood at per cent on a year-on- The company’s business
Rs 1,690 crore, recording a strong growth of year (Y-o-Y) basis. Total in the US posted sales of
14 per cent, driven by robust performances income from operations Rs 1,623 crore, up by 19
by the biosimilars and generics business for the quarter was Rs per cent on a Y-o-Y basis.
segments, which grew by 19 per cent and 16 3,640 crore, up 4 per cent The company received 12
per cent respectively. The research services on a Y-o-Y basis. The ANDA approvals including
business reported flat revenue growth at Rs company’s India business, 4 tentative approvals,
422 crore due to slowdown of operations which comprises human during the quarter. The
impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The formulations, consumer company’s rest of the
generics business reported a revenue of Rs wellness and animal world business grew by
599 crore. The generic formulations business health business posted 8 per cent during the
in the U.S. was the main driver of this growth sales of Rs 1,486 crore quarter on a Y-o-Y basis
with the formulations commercialized under during the quarter. After a and posted sales of Rs 238
its own label maintaining a steady high- quiet start to the quarter, crore.
teens market share. The biosimilars segment
reported a strong growth at Rs 692 crore in
Q1 FY21 driven by robust performance across
Most of the World (MoW) markets and
steady sales of key biosimilars in U.S. and
Europe, aided by a spillover of revenues from
the previous quarter.

Syngene rings in Rs 437 Cr in Q1 FY21

Bengaluru based Syngene suspension of operations in for employees allowed the
International has announced all divisions. Since restarting, divisions to return to near
its Q1 FY21 results. The the expansion of shift working normal levels of operation
company posted quarterly and other protection measures and get client projects largely
revenue of Rs 437 crore, in back on schedule. During the
line with guidance: profit after quarter, credit rating agency,
tax, was impacted less than CRISIL, conducted its annual
expected, at Rs 58 crore for review and based on its
the quarter. Syngene’s first assessment of the company’s
quarter performance was strong fundamentals, sound
driven by solid performances business model and robust
in discovery services and the liquidity position, upgraded
dedicated centres. The national Syngene’s rating to AA+ /Stable
lockdown resulted in a temporary from AA/Positive.

18 START UP NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Abbott joins hands with 1mg for CGM solutions

In a move to expand access upload a healthcare practitioner’s sensor and take readings of the
and empower Indian patients prescription and purchase the data after 14 days, enabling them
to take charge of their health, product online on 1mg. An on- to start using the device. Abbott′s
American multinational medical site phlebotomy service will be FreeStyle Libre Pro consists of
devices and healthcare company provided at the patient’s home a small, round sensor, slightly
Abbott and Gurugram based with a phlebotomist helping larger than a 10-rupee coin. A
online pharmacy and healthcare the patient administer the phlebotomist applies the discreet,
startup 1mg have recently water-resistant, and disposable
announced their collaboration sensor on the back of the upper
to make Abbott’s continuous
glucose monitoring (CGM) arm of a patient. The sensor
products available online, is held in place with a
including its professional self-adhesive pad and
flash glucose monitoring remains on the back of
system, FreeStyle Libre the upper arm for up to 14
Pro. Patients in India can days, requiring no patient

interaction with the sensor.

BBC to incubate IPHM Services
winners of COVID-19
innovation challenge raises funding

COVID-19 innovation applicants, three winners from IAF
challenge by Bengaluru based were selected viz., Dr Deevish
Rajiv Gandhi University of ND and team for Universal Mumbai based startup IPHM Services
Health Sciences (RGUHS), in Pressurized or PowerEd (Integrated Personalized Healthcare
partnership with Bangalore Respirator- a unique low Management) has succeeded in
Bioinnovation Centre cost powered air-purifying raising a seed round of funding from
(BBC), Indian Institute of respirator (PAPR) for medical India Angel Fund (IAF). The startup
Management (IIM-B) and professionals, Pritik Shah helps design programmes and
Indian Institute of Science and team for SAN-CAP workshops for the psychological well-
(IISc) launched by the and SAN-POD- one stop, being of individuals and employees
Prime Minister of India, cost effective, dose specific of large organizations. IPHM aims
Narendra Modi on June capsulated sanitiser and Dr K to assist individuals to reach their
1 has been concluded. In Rashmi and team for Green own potential by developing skillsets
the competition of 1160 PPE- an ingenious eco- within them, pertinent for their good
friendly virucidal personal health, emotional, and mental well-
protective equipment. BBC being. An influx of funds would mean
will be incubating and training more individuals, employees
mentoring these 3 winners and aspiring entrepreneurs to reach
of this challenge. The their potential growth and increase
winners will be given the general productivity within an
required facilities at BBC individual. After all, all these aspects
such as access to world class are interlinked and a positive push
instrumentation facility, in any direction would enhance the
bench space, mentorship, startup’s own offering.
networking etc. It is also
decided that prize money
worth Rs 10 lakh will be given
to BBC to be distributed to
the winners.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com START UP NEWS 19

IIT-M, Helyxon develop PURE EV
remote patient monitoring supplies lithium
device for COVID-19 batteries for
healthcare
IIT Madras’ Healthcare Technology Innovation Centre (HTIC) and applications
Helyxon, a healthcare startup in IIT Madras Research Park have
announced successful deployment of remote patient monitoring Electric vehicles startup PURE
solutions for COVID-19 that they have jointly developed. The device is a EV is providing lithium batteries
first-of-its-kind in the market that does clinically accurate continuous to healthcare tech companies that
monitoring of four critical parameters are engaged in the fight against
– temperature, oxygen saturation, COVID-19 pandemic across
respiratory rate and heart rate. The device India. The batteries are being
has already reached over 2,000 patients in used in medical applications
public and private hospitals, and at homes, such as ventilators and robotic
with another 5,000 devices in the pipeline. sanitation devices. The startup
Production is being scaled up to meet the supplies batteries for various
growing demand. Cost of the device ranges applications under the brand
from Rs 2,500 to 10,000 depending on the name Pure Lithium. Incubated
configuration and parameters. The device by IIT Hyderabad, PURE
is completely self-contained, portable, wireless and can be clipped on EV is working on innovative
to patient’s finger and data is streamed to a mobile phone or central applications for Lithium batteries,
monitoring system. The temperature is measured at the armpit and which it manufactures in-house.
blood oxygen level, and other parameters at the finger itself. The primary application for its
Lithium battery is for its in-
NITI Aayog to develop house manufactured electric
robust ecosystem for startups vehicles sold under the brand
PURE EV. The startup has
AIM has joined hands with Bill supplied lithium batteries to IIT
Hyderabad Center for Healthcare
& Melinda Gates Foundation Entrepreneurship (CfHE)-
incubated startup Aerobiosys
and Wadhwani Foundation Innovations, which has developed
a low-cost, portable, emergency-
- organizations that can lend use ventilator called Jeevan Lite.
This device offers protection to
credible support and expertise healthcare providers as well as it
is Internet of Things-enabled and
in the entrepreneurship and can be operated through a phone
app.
innovation space. AIM iCREST,

as the name suggests, has

been designed to enable the

incubation ecosystem and act

as a growth hack for established

In a major initiative to encourage incubators across the country.
and enable holistic progress in
the incubator ecosystem across Under the initiative, the
the country, NITI Aayog’s Atal
Innovation Mission (AIM), AIM’s incubators are set to be
has launched AIM iCREST
– an incubator capabilities upscaled and provided requisite
enhancement programme for
a robust ecosystem focused support to foster the incubation
on creating high performing
startups. This is a first of its enterprise economy that will
kind initiative for advancing
innovation at scale in India. help them to significantly

enhance their performance.

This will be complemented

by providing training to

entrepreneurs, through

technology driven processes

and platforms.

20 WHO NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

WHO focuses WHO convenes COVID-19
Emergency Committee meeting
on fast-tracking
The Emergency Committee It advised countries to
HBV elimination on COVID-19, convened by support these research
the WHO Director-General efforts, including through
The proportion of children under five years under the International funding, and to join in efforts
of age chronically infected with hepatitis Health Regulations (2005) to allow equitable allocation
B (HBV) dropped to just under 1 per cent (IHR), held its fourth of diagnostics, therapeutics
in 2019 down from around 5 per cent in meeting recently. The and vaccines by engaging
the pre-vaccine era, the period between committee made a range of in the Access to COVID-19
the 1980s and the early 2000s, according recommendations to both Tools (ACT) Accelerator
to new estimates from the World Health WHO and State Parties. It among other initiatives.
Organization (WHO). This marks the advised WHO to continue to The committee also advised
achievement of one of the milestone mobilize global and regional countries to strengthen
targets to eliminate viral hepatitis in multilateral organizations public health surveillance
the Sustainable Development Goals to and partners for COVID-19 for case identification and
reach under 1 per cent prevalence of HBV preparedness and response, contact tracing, including
infections in children under five years of to support Member States in low-resource, vulnerable,
age by 2020. WHO is calling for united in maintaining health or high-risk settings and to
and stepped-up action to build on this services, while accelerating maintain essential health
achievement through intensified efforts to the research and eventual services with sufficient
prevent mother-to-child transmission of access to diagnostics, funding, supplies, and
HBV through testing pregnant women and therapeutics, and vaccines. human resources.
provision of antiviral prophylaxis to those
who need it and maintaining and expanding
access to hepatitis B immunization and
birth dose vaccine.

WHO introduces COVID-19 law lab

The COVID-19 Law Lab initiative HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the
gathers and shares legal documents
from over 190 countries across the O’Neill Institute for National and
world to help states establish and
implement strong legal frameworks Global Health Law at Georgetown
to manage the pandemic. The
goal is to ensure that laws protect University. The COVID-19 Law
the health and wellbeing of
individuals and communities and Lab is a database of laws that
that they adhere to international
human rights standards. The new countries have implemented
lab is a joint project of United
Nations Development Programme in response to the pandemic.
(UNDP), the World Health
Organization (WHO), the Joint It includes state of emergency
United Nations Programme on
declarations, quarantine

measures, disease surveillance,

legal measures relating to mask-

wearing, social distancing, and

access to medication and vaccines.

The database will continue to grow

as more countries and themes are

added.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 21

TECHNOLOGY

adding fDuRelIVtoE OUT

The pressure on the healthcare sector to provide
a solution for the COVID-19 pandemic is massive.
As a result, the life sciences sector is adopting new
technologies to quickly devise a way out to beat this
crisis. Many companies and academic institutions in
India are moving headfirst in this direction with support
from the technology sector both locally and globally.
Technology adoption is indeed playing a key role in
better understanding and addressing the crisis with the
right amount of fuel being added by the tech giants.

The big technology companies across the globe the scale and pace of change this will bring for the life
have complete dominance in their respective sciences industry, there is little doubt that the change
sectors such as communication, social media, is well under way.
e-commerce, etc. Due to their dominance in the
technology market, the big techs also influence the This digital disruption has become all the more
economy and society. These companies are shaping prominent due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
the way our society is progressing. The products and The pressure on the healthcare sector to provide a
services offered by big techs are used by hundreds of solution for this pandemic is massive. As a result, the
millions all over the world. life sciences sector is adopting new technologies to
quickly devise a way out to beat this crisis.
Of late, these tech giants are leveraging their
strengths in data and user-friendly platforms to Many companies and academic institutions in
create new solutions in healthcare as well. The India are moving headfirst in this direction currently
biggest push from technology came a few weeks ago with support from the technology sector both locally
when Google announced an investment of $10 billion and globally. They are bringing advances in data,
in India in the next five to seven years, leveraging genomics and diagnostics together, as well as new
technology and artificial intelligence (AI) for methods, technologies and therapeutics to meet the
healthcare, education and agriculture. ongoing needs.

Digital disruption has reached the healthcare “Healthcare is a notoriously conservative
sector, and with it comes an imperative for life industry. However, the current situation has
science companies to retool core technology to accelerated the inevitable evolution and rapid
remain competitive. While there is still debate around adoption of technological innovations. Robotic
process automations and artificial intelligence can

22 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

help cost optimization and consolidation of services municipal and police agencies to set up technology
at the back-end, whereas the human workforce can and manage command and control centres or
be channeled into higher demand and strategically operations centres in cities such as Mumbai, Pune,
important areas”, says Viren Shetty, Executive Nagpur, Prayagraj, Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam, and
Director and Group Chief Operating Officer, Hyderabad.
Narayana Health, Bengaluru.
Following the suit, Mumbai based technology
In-house tech support company, Hexaware has rolled out a cloud-based
quarantine zone care management software solution
One of the very first announcements of a and mobile application called KareRing that provides
collaboration with a technology company to combat institutional care providers a care management
the pandemic, came from the Bengaluru based Indian dashboard, quarantine zone tracking and reporting
multinational corporation Wipro. The company’s facility.
strategic initiative into the future of manufacturing,
Wipro 3D is working with Thiruvananthapuram “Healthcare organizations, community hospitals,
based Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical governments, NGOs, law enforcers, communities,
Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) to jointly build enterprises and care providers can use the KareRing
up on a prototype of an emergency ventilator system solution to not only manage and limit the outbreak
based on Artificial Manual Breathing Unit (AMBU), but also provide timely care management to those
developed by SCTIMST. in quarantine. Using the application command
centre, the care providers can seamlessly on-board
“Millions of people worldwide are affected by personal, provide efficient safe zones management,
COVID-19, and the numbers are increasing at a very symptom management, care tracking and response
fast rate. In this alarming situation, a handy artificial management. Solution provides configurable
manual breathing unit will be very helpful. Wipro rules for care alerts and
3D responded to the Expression of Interest (EoI)
invited by SCTIMST. We held an elaborate discussion
with technical teams and assessed the prototype. We
intend to quickly move into clinical trials and then
manufacturing it through Wipro 3D,” shares Dr Asha
Kishore, Director, SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram.

Mumbai based Larsen & Toubro, a major Indian
technology and engineering company, is contributing
in this fight against COVID-19 by using new
technologies, AI and its digital platforms to support
local authorities in 20 cities so that they can monitor
and implement measures to help combat the spread
of COVID-19. The company has partnered with

“Healthcare is a notoriously conservative
industry. However, the current situation has
accelerated the inevitable evolution and rapid
adoption of technological innovations.”
- VIREN SHETTY,
Executive Director and Group Chief Operating
Officer, Narayana Health, Bengaluru

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 23

user off-boarding. Solution helps identify clusters and “In this alarming situation, a handy artificial
control breach scenarios through geo-tracking. The manual breathing unit will be very helpful. Wipro
to-be-quarantined user is required to download the
application on his Android or iOS mobile device for 3D responded to the Expression of Interest
smooth tracking and health management”, explains (EoI) invited by SCTIMST. We intend to quickly
R Srikrishna, Chief Executive Officer, Hexaware, move into clinical trials and then manufacturing
Mumbai.
through Wipro 3D.”
Global participation - DR ASHA KISHORE,
Director, SCTIMST, Thiruvananthapuram
American multinational enterprise Hewlett Packard
(HPE) has stepped in by deploying four COVID-19 pulse reader etc. To ensure the IT infrastructure at
test labs and four outpatient department (OPD) the test labs and OPD centres experience minimal
centres across the country to assist the central and downtime and any related issues can be rectified
state governments in their efforts to contain the remotely without the need of an on-site engineer, the
COVID-19 pandemic. These facilities, in Delhi, facilities are equipped with Aruba Cloud Managed
Chennai, Lucknow, and Dehradun, have been set Wireless solution along with Aruba User Experience
up to provide additional authorised testing facilities Insight (UXI) sensor.
and isolation beds to manage the increased demand
across the country. This effort by HPE is being “COVID-19 has thrown unprecedented challenges
supported by the National Association of Software for the world and industries alike and we must
and Service Companies (NASSCOM). actively implement various measures to help contain

HPE has developed and deployed these the virus. NASSCOM is working with
test Labs and OPD centres in 40-feet the IT industry in formulating
innovative solutions to combat the
refurbished negative air pressure pandemic. Cloud-enabled HPE
containers equipped with biometrics, COVID-19 test Labs and OPDs will
blood pressure apparatus, spirometer, enable authorities to refine their
serum analyzer, pulse
oxymeter, glucometer, testing process and will significantly
reduce the strain on existing
healthcare facilities. We are
confident that together we will be
able to overcome this phase and
emerge stronger post the
crisis,” shares Debjani
Ghosh, President,
NASSCOM,
Gurugram.
On the other hand,

American multinational technology company
IBM has provided its Watson virtual agent
to the government agencies, healthcare
organizations and academic institutions
for generating COVID-19 related
information.
The Watson Assistant for Citizens
leverages currently available data from

24 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“Researchers at IIT Delhi are leading a critical
effort to develop low cost diagnostic solutions
that will make COVID-19 testing much more
affordable and accessible for all.”
- ROHINI SRIVATHSA,
National Technology Officer,
Microsoft India, Bengaluru

“We have developed a Wi-Fi operated smart external sources, which include the Ministry of
ventilator costing only Rs 4,000. The developed Health and Family Welfare and other government
prototype is a mechanised Artificial Manual sources for prevention and treatment related
Breathing Unit (AMBU) bag with options to guidance, citizen welfare schemes in India, as well as
control breath rate and volume of air going into global resources such as World Health Organization
the patient’s lungs.” (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control &
- DR ARPAN GUPTA, Prevention (CDC). IBM already is delivering this
Associate Professor, School of Engineering, IIT Mandi service across the United States, as well as engaging
with organizations globally in Czech Republic,
“Our idea is to make a state-of-the-art facility Finland, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain and more.
for the entire Northeast region in the form of
an advanced research centre and laboratory for “In just the last few months, the COVID-19
COVID-19 analysis.” coronavirus pandemic has altered nearly every
- PROF. TG SITHARAM, aspect of our personal and professional lives. In
Director, IIT Guwahati these challenging times, its critical to offer accurate
information to all constituents and hence a clear
opportunity to apply artificial intelligence to quickly
answer common questions at a very large scale.
IBM developed the Watson Assistant for Citizens
to provide an AI-powered virtual agent that helps
governments deliver accurate information to their
citizens without overwhelming contact centres where
human agents are needed to help those who truly
need them. To introduce this offering in India, IBM
Research has trained Watson Assistant to answer
queries in English and Hindi to enable various
government agencies and departments to offer this
service to its constituents “, shares Gargi Dasgupta,
Director, IBM Research India & Chief Technology

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 25

IITs & COVID-19 PROJECTS

S.No Institute COVID-19 projects/products

1 IIT Madras Nano coated filter media, Wearable symptom tracker, Portable hospital unit, Remote patient
monitoring device

2 IIT Delhi Diagnostic test, Anti-viral nano coating, Vaccine, Face mask, PPE coverall, Hand sanitiser

3 IIT Bombay Nasal passage gel, Digital stethoscope

4 IIT Kanpur Vaccine, Disinfector, Deoderant based sanitiser, Ventilator, Face mask, Disinfectant tunnel, Drug
repurposing, Positive Pressure Respirator System, PPE coverall, Anti-viral nasal filter

5 IIT Kharagpur Vaccine, Predicitve model, Diagnostic test, AI based system for social distancing

6 IIT Roorkee Drug repurposing, Respirator, UV disinfector, Face mask and shield, Diagnostic test, Ventilator,
Herbal sanitiser, Rapid testing software, Screening booth

7 IIT Guwahati Diagnostic test, Predictive modelling, Vaccine, Antimicrobial spray-based coating, Robots, Face
masks and shield, Fever tester, Hand sanitiser, Ventilator

8 IIT Hyderabad Bag valve mask, Hand sanitizer, Vaccine, Face mask and shield, Protective wear, Ventilator,
Smart wearable patch, Drug repurposing, Air purifier, Diagnostic test, Cough simulator, Lithium
batteries

9 IIT (BHU) Varanasi Anti-microbial five layered face mask, Drug repurposing

10 IIT Dhanbad Disinfection chamber, Anti-viral nano coating, 3D printed adaptor for ventilators

11 IIT Bhubaneswar Ventilators

12 IIT Gandhinagar AI tool for chest x-rays

13 IIT Ropar Ventilators, AI vehicles, Infrared vision system, Wardbot, Portable negative pressure rooms

14 IIT Patna Face shields

15 IIT Mandi Disinfection box, Foot-operated Hand Sanitiser Dispenser, Portable ventilator

16 IIT Jodhpur Therapeutic solutions, Face masks and shields, AI based diagnostic system, Anti-microbial
coating, UV steriliser, Monitoring gadget

17 IIT Tirupati Online awareness games

18 IIT Bhilai Face Masks, Swabs

19 IIT Goa Drug, Diagnostic test

20 IIT Jammu Face shields

21 IIT Dharwad 3D printed Face shields

22 IIT Palakkad Automated lung ultrasound

23 IIT Indore Face mask, UV chamber, Temperature sensor

Officer, IBM India /South Asia, Bengaluru. “Healthcare organizations, community hospitals,
A similar initiative has been carried out by governments, NGOs, law enforcers, communities,

the American multinational technology company enterprises and care providers can use the
Microsoft Corporation in the form of Bing COVID-19 KareRing solution to not only manage and
tracker. It allows users to track COVID-19 infections limit the outbreak but also provide timely care
across the globe and in India at a hyperlocal level.
Users can get statistics on infection, recoveries and management to those in quarantine”.
fatalities in their own states and districts. They can - R SRIKRISHNA,
also save locations of their near and dear ones to
quickly view stats of those areas at one place. Chief Executive Officer, Hexaware, Mumbai

It has integrated Apollo Hospitals bot for self-
assessment and a hub for telemedicine support from
reputed healthcare organizations. The tracker offers
content in nine Indian languages to provide people
across the country access to critical information
related to the pandemic in preferred language.

However, Microsoft and IBM are not the only ones

26 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“The MediCAB is foldable and is composed of
four zones – a doctor’s room, an isolation room,
a medical room/ward and a twin-bed ICU,
maintained at negative pressure. Post-pandemic,
these cabins can be remodelled into micro-
hospitals/clinics for rural places.”
- SHREERAM RAVICHANDRAN,
Chief Executive Officer, Modulus Housing, Chennai

providing coronavirus information through advanced at risk for mitigating coronavirus transmission,
technology. Apple and Google have also been working the Silicon Valley based multinational technology
on a contract-tracing tool to help contain the spread of company Intel has partnered with the Council
COVID-19. The two technology leaders have launched of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and
COVID-19 contact tracing platform called Exposure International Institute of Information Technology
Notification API. This platform allows public health (IIIT), Hyderabad. As part of the initiative, Intel
authorities to build COVID-19 contact tracing apps India is developing an end-to-end system that
without violating user privacy. consists of multiple applications, testing devices,
data collection and aggregation gateways, and an AI
Moving a step ahead, Microsoft India is funding model-hub platform.
two projects at the Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT) in Delhi focused on COVID-19 detection. One of CSIR constituent labs will work with various
the projects pertains to the probe-free real-time PCR- hospitals and diagnostic chains in carrying out
based COVID-19 detection assay developed at the comprehensive diagnostics, and IIIT-Hyderabad
Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi. will develop risk stratification algorithms that can
help in drug and vaccine discovery for long term
The other project is a collaboration between IIT preparedness to combat the epidemic.
Delhi and National Chemical Laboratory, Pune,
and aims to develop an ELISA based diagnostic “Intel India is working with CSIR and IIIT-
serological assay against COVID-19. If successful, Hyderabad to rapidly develop and deploy solutions in
it will create an economical, commercial process the fight against COVID-19. Intel creates technologies
for manufacturing the antigens used in ELISA and that enrich lives and this initiative exemplifies our
home-based diagnostic kits to offer an effective, focus on deploying advanced technology to find
quick, robust and affordable diagnostic solution to effective and scalable solutions for urgent local needs.
COVID-19 outbreak. Technology has become cheaper, more accessible
and far more efficient since SARS-CoV-1 hit us and
On this note, Rohini Srivathsa, National remains crucial in this fight against SARS-CoV-2 as it
Technology Officer, Microsoft India, Bengaluru
says, “We want to make sure researchers working
to combat COVID-19 have access to the tools and
resources they need. Researchers at IIT Delhi are
leading a critical effort to develop low cost diagnostic
solutions that will make COVID-19 testing much
more affordable and accessible for all. Microsoft
India is proud to support this effort and we hope that
by expanding access to our technology resources and
grants, we can help accelerate this important work.”

Meanwhile, to test faster and predict patients

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 27

“In these challenging times, its critical to offer
accurate information to all constituents and
hence a clear opportunity to apply artificial

intelligence to quickly answer common questions
at a very large scale.”
- GARGI DASGUPTA,

Director, IBM Research India & Chief Technology
Officer, IBM India /South Asia, Bengaluru

enables diagnostics, drug and vaccine discovery with “The most sophisticated computer-controlled
higher predictability, speed and accuracy,” shares ventilators cost around Rs 40 lakh while more
Nivruti Rai, Country Head, Intel India and Vice modest foreign-made ones cost around Rs 15 lakh
President, Data Platforms Group, Intel Corporation, with Indian-made ventilators costing around Rs
Bengaluru. 6 lakh. We cannot depend on the conventional

Efforts by IITs- Masterminds of Technology ventilators for a solution to this crisis.”
- PROF. B.S. MURTY,
The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
continue to dominate the technology sector of our Director, IIT Hyderabad
country for years by building experts in the digital
transformation space. Out of the 23 institutes, IIT “We have identified unique regions i.e. short
Madras, Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur and Kharagpur are stretches of RNA sequences in the SARS-COV-2
currently leading the way. It is thus not surprising genome. These regions are not present in other
that many of the global top tech companies are human corona viruses providing an opportunity
being run by IIT alumnus indicating that Indians
are playing a key role in the success of technology to specifically detect COVID-19.”
powerhouses globally. - PROF. JAMES GOMES,

Besides making a mark in the global tech space Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi
for many decades, and playing an important role in
the industry, the IITians at present are using their
technology weapon to combat this pandemic. Over
the last few months, a number of innovative solutions
have been built by research teams at various IITs.

The most recent example is the launch of the
world’s most affordable RT-PCR based COVID-19

28 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

TECH GIANTS PROVIDING COVID-19 SOLUTIONS

Company Solution

Wipro 3D, Bengaluru Emergency ventilator system

Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai Technology management centres

Hexaware, Mumbai Quarantine care software

Hewlett Packard Enterprise, US Test labs & OPD centres

IBM, US COVID-19 Information tracker

Microsoft, US COVID-19 Information tracker, Funding IIT-D projects for COVID-19 diagnostic tests

Apple, US COVID-19 Information tracker

Google, US COVID-19 Information tracker

Intel, US Multiple application platform

“While the existing N-95 mask does not protect diagnostic kit Corosure developed by IIT Delhi. The
the user if there is an imperfect seal between base price of the RT-PCR assay is Rs 399. Even after
the mask and the face, as there is negative adding the RNA isolation and laboratory charges,
pressure inside the mask. In contrast, the Positive the cost per test is considerably cheaper compared
Pressure Respirator System (PPRS) provides to currently available kits in the market. Another
uncontaminated air because it uses positive highlight of this product is that it is the first probe-
pressures.” free assay for COVID-19, approved by the Indian
- PROF. NACHIKETA TIWARI, Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Associate Professor, Department of
Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur “We have identified unique regions i.e. short
stretches of RNA sequences in the SARS-COV-2
“With AI, the remote trolley can be deployed genome. These regions are not present in other human
autonomously in the high-infection zone to corona viruses providing an opportunity to specifically
deliver essential supplies. The features of the detect COVID-19. This method uses primers targeting
trolley include detection of obstruction and unique regions of COVID-19 that were designed and
medical personnel’s movement.” tested using real time PCR. These primers specifically
- DR ROHIT SHARMA, bind to regions conserved in over 400 fully sequenced
Associate Professor, Department of COVID-19 genomes. This highly sensitive assay was
Electrical Engineering, IIT Ropar developed by extensive optimization using synthetic
DNA constructs followed by in vitro generated RNA
fragments. This is the first probe-free assay for
COVID-19 approved by ICMR and it will be useful for
specific and affordable high throughput testing. This
assay can be easily scaled up as it does not require
fluorescent probes”, says Prof. James Gomes, Kusuma
School of Biological Sciences, IIT Delhi.

Addressing a similar concern related to the
availability of low cost diagnostic tests for COVID-19,
IIT Kharagpur researchers have innovated a novel
portable rapid diagnostic device to detect COVID-19
infection. The equipment will cost about Rs 2,000
if a pilot facility is used and with a large-scale
commercial facility, the price can be further reduced.

Another innovative solution has been developed by
a startup Modulus Housing incubated at IIT Madras,
in the form of a portable hospital unit that can be
installed anywhere within two hours by four people.

“Called ‘MediCAB,’ it is a decentralized approach
to detect, screen, identify, isolate and treat COVID-19
patients in their local communities through these
portable microstructures. MediCAB has been

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVER STORY 29

launched recently in Wayanad district of Kerala “Technology has become cheaper, more
where the units are being deployed to treat COVID-19 accessible and far more efficient since SARS-
patients. We are developing micro hospitals that can CoV-1 hit us and remains crucial in this fight
be deployed rapidly across the nation. The MediCAB against SARS-CoV-2 as it enables diagnostics,
is foldable and is composed of four zones – a doctor’s
room, an isolation room, a medical room/ward and drug and vaccine discovery with higher
a twin-bed ICU, maintained at negative pressure. predictability, speed and accuracy.”
Post-Pandemic, these cabins can be remodelled - NIVRUTI RAI,
into micro-hospitals/clinics for rural places”, shares
Shreeram Ravichandran, Chief Executive Officer, Country Head, Intel India and Vice President, Data
Modulus Housing, Chennai. Platforms Group, Intel Corporation, Bengaluru

Another startup at IIT Madras, Helyxon has “COVID -19 has thrown unprecedented challenges
developed and deployed a novel remote patient for the world and industries alike and we must
monitoring device for COVID-19. The device is a first- actively implement various measures to help
of-its-kind in the market that does clinically accurate
continuous monitoring of four critical parameters contain the virus. NASSCOM is working with the
– temperature, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate IT industry in formulating innovative solutions to
and heart rate. The cost of the device ranges from Rs
2,500 to 10,000 depending on the configuration and combat the pandemic.”
parameters. - DEBJANI GHOSH,

Adding on, researchers at IIT Kanpur have President, NASSCOM, Gurugram
built an alternative to N-95 masks in the form of a
Positive Pressure Respirator System (PPRS), thereby
addressing the problem of acute scarcity of N-95
respirator masks, which are a critical component of
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits.

“The PPRS is made up of a snug, comfortable and
leak-proof transparent enclosure for mouth and nose
which receive positive pressure air from a portable,
light, and wearable air-bottle as well as a trolley-
mounted large cylinder. While the existing N-95 mask
does not protect the user if there is an imperfect seal
between the mask and the face, as there is negative
pressure inside the mask. In contrast, the PPRS
provides uncontaminated air because it uses positive
pressures. Thus, contaminated air from the room
cannot enter the PPRS even in presence of leakages”,
says Prof. Nachiketa Tiwari, Associate Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur.

IIT Hyderabad has come up with an alternative
to meet the surge in demand for ventilators at this
critical hour. The institute is recommending the use
of small devices called bag valve masks to deliver
breathing support in emergency situations as they are
inexpensive, easy to produce, and portable.

“While bag valve mask is currently hand-powered
and therefore not suitable for continuous use as a
ventilator, it would be easy to design a similar device
powered by an electrical source. Our estimate of the
cost is that it can be manufactured for less than Rs
5000, or one-hundredth the cost of a conventional
machine. The most sophisticated computer-
controlled ventilators cost around Rs 40 lakh while
more modest foreign-made ones cost around Rs 15
lakh with Indian-made ventilators costing around

30 COVER STORY BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Technology adoption is devise a low cost software for COVID-19 detection.
indeed playing a key role In collaboration with the Kyoto University in Japan,
in better understanding the researchers have developed a software package
and addressing the called INJA-AI, a rapid, non-invasive, medical-
COVID-19 crisis with the driven prediction module that can overcome the
right amount of fuel being limitations in the current model of testing COVID-19.
added by the tech giants. Furthermore, it can also enable testing in remote
regions, as it does not rely on internet connectivity.
Rs 6 lakh. We cannot depend on the conventional
ventilators for a solution to this crisis”, points out On a similar line, IIT Gandhinagar has developed
Prof. B.S. Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad. an AI based deep learning tool for detection of
COVID-19 from chest X-ray images. This online tool
In sync with this observation, IIT Mandi indicates the probability if a person is infected with
researchers have developed two low-cost portable the disease, which can be used for quick preliminary
ventilators. The developed prototypes are easy to diagnosis before the medical test.
use and can be taken to remote locations in case of a
medical emergency. IIT Ropar has collaborated with Post Graduate
Institute of Medical Education and Research
“We have developed a Wi-Fi operated smart (PGIMER) in Chandigarh and invented two low-cost
ventilator costing only Rs 4,000. The developed devices, Medi-Sarathi and Al-powered trolley, to
prototype is a mechanised Artificial Manual minimise healthcare workers’ contact with infected
Breathing Unit (AMBU) bag with options to control COVID-19 patients and contaminated surroundings.
breath rate and volume of air going into the patient’s
lungs. The unique feature of the developed product Explaining more about these products, Dr
is, apart from manual operation, it can be controlled Rohit Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of
by a mobile application over Wi-Fi as well”, mentions Electrical Engineering, IIT Ropar says, “Medi Sarathi
Dr Arpan Gupta, Associate Professor, School of is equipped with complete remote access, thermal
Engineering, IIT Mandi. RGB cameras for human body temperature and
sanitisation capability.
The other ventilator developed by IIT Mandi is
a mechanical ventilator that uses a low-cost self- With AI, the remote trolley can be deployed
inflating bag operated by an electric motor, and is autonomously in the high-infection zone to deliver
priced under Rs 25,000. essential supplies. The features of the trolley include
detection of obstruction and medical personnel’s
Adding another touch of novelty to fight this crisis, movement.”
IIT Mandi has developed an ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light
based portable disinfection box and a foot-operated Moving a step ahead, IIT Guwahati has developed
hand sanitiser dispenser. Priced at Rs 35,000, the robots that can be deployed in isolation wards for
disinfection box shows 99 per cent efficacy to kill COVID-19 infected cases for delivery of food and
bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus medicine to patients and the collection of contagious
aureus within 40 seconds of UV-C light exposure. On waste, in order to reduce human intervention. The
the other hand, innovative hand sanitiser costs less institute also plans to make robot-based screening
than Rs 1,400 and has been installed in the various units.
parts of the IIT Mandi campus.
“Our idea is to make a state-of-the-art facility
Making full use of technology, IIT Kharagpur’s for the entire Northeast region in the form of
Autonomous Ground Vehicle (AGV) research an advanced research centre and laboratory for
group under the Centre of Excellence for Robotics COVID-19 analysis. This centre in the future would
Research has developed a low-cost AI based cyber- help to develop highly competent manpower for
physical system for monitoring social distance in diagnosis of different infectious diseases in the
public places. The device can visually detect the gap early stage of infection and thus its prevention too,”
between individuals and play a proximity alert sound mentions Prof. TG Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati.
through audio output, for any violation of the social
distancing norms. At present, every ounce of technological
innovation and ingenuity brought out to fight this
A team at IIT Roorkee has also utilized AI to pandemic brings us one step closer to overcoming it.
Technology adoption is indeed playing a key role in
better understanding and addressing the COVID-19
crisis with the right amount of fuel being added by
the tech giants.

Dr Manbeena Chawla
[email protected]

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVID-19 31

INDIA INCHING TO BE

GLOBAL PPE HUB
PPE coveralls for COVID-19.
According to a report by Invest India, the domestic “After receiving the WHO guidelines on PPE, in
PPE industry grew 56 times in a span of 60 days.
On March 1, two days before the World Health less than a month’s time, 14 manufacturers cleared
Organization (WHO) spoke of a global shortage rigorous technical testing and started manufacturing
of PPE, India had no PPE coveralls suitable for indigenous PPE for our frontline health workers”, says
COVID-19. But a clear roadmap and prompt Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Textiles and
assistance by the Ministry of Textiles and all its Women & Child Development, Government of India,
allied bodies, ensured India becomes a world leader New Delhi.
in PPE manufacturing amid a global shortage.
The Ministry of Textiles is continuously conducting
The global response to the unfolding COVID-19 market regulations and due diligence by taking
crisis saw countries implementing total or stringent actions on suppliers/manufacturers whose
partial lockdowns, the announcement of proto-type samples for PPE have failed laboratory
stimulus packages and relief measures to tackle the tests but are still reaching the market.
harsh economic impact of the pandemic. The virus
also overwhelmed the global production capacity of “We have two classifications, single use and
the personal protective equipment (PPE), which is the reusable. Both are widely acceptable in today’s
most critical product to protect the frontline health scenario because disposal of single use is becoming
workers and other responders. very complicated. So, reusables are also slowly coming
in”, shares Prakash Vasudevan, Director, South Indian
Similar situations were facing India as well but the Textile Research Association (SITRA), Coimbatore.
country moved quickly, implementing a nationwide
lockdown with the goal of flattening the curve and India now has around 600 certified companies
using the time to plan resource responses, adequately. involved in PPE manufacturing. Geographically,
India realized the critical role of PPE in combating this Bengaluru has become a major hub for PPE coverall
pandemic and has made a remarkable journey so far. production in the country accounting for nearly 50 per
cent production. Besides Bengaluru, PPE coveralls are
The PPE kits were initially all imported because also being manufactured by approved production units
of no domestic manufacturing resources and there in Tiruppur, Chennai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu,
was a sudden surge in prices due to less availability. Ahmedabad and Vadodara in Gujarat, Phagwara
Thereafter, many Indian manufacturers started and Ludhiana in Punjab, Kusumnagar and Bhiwandi
production of PPE and ramped up the domestic in Maharashtra, Dungarpur in Rajasthan, Kolkata,
capabilities. India now is the second largest producer
with a capacity of more than 4.5 lakh PPE per day. MAJOR MANUFACTURERS
This incredible rise of a whole new industry within a OF PPE IN INDIA
time-span of months is only a proof that India has the
potential to become a manufacturing hub of the world. ● Trident Group, Bengaluru
● Sai Synergy,
According to a report by Invest India, the domestic Ludhiana
PPE industry grew 56 times in a span of 60 days. ● JCT Mills, Gurugram
On March 1, two days before the World Health ● Matrix Clothing,
Organization (WHO) spoke of a global shortage of PPE, Phagwara
India had no PPE coveralls suitable for COVID-19. ● SCG Enterprises, Gurugram
● Frontiers
But a clear roadmap and prompt assistance by the Phagwara
Ministry of Textiles and all its allied bodies, ensured ● Arvind Mills, Protective Wear,
India becomes a world leader in PPE manufacturing
amid a global shortage. At present, India has 10 Gujarat Kolkata
laboratories approved for testing and certification of ● Welspun, Mumbai ● Shiva Texyan,
● Shahi Exports,
Coimbatore
Bengaluru ● Tiruppur Cluster,
● Amaryllis,
Chennai

32 COVID-19 BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Source- investindia.gov.in

Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and few other places. “After receiving the WHO
“According to a study, there will be domestic guidelines on PPE, in less

demand of PPE worth Rs 10,000 crore for the next than a month’s time, 14
one year and internationally there will be a $60 manufacturers cleared rigorous
billion business in 2025, whereas India has done only
$260 million so far last year”, mentions A Sakthivel, technical testing and started
Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), manufacturing indigenous
New Delhi. PPE for our frontline health
workers.”
Entering the global market - Smriti Zubin Irani,
Union Minister of Textiles and Women &
Witnessing the journey from lack of PPEs to surplus
production in such a short span, the Directorate Child Development, Government of India, New Delhi
General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) received several
representations from manufacturers seeking “We have two classifications,
permission to export worldwide. The DGFT soon lifted single use and reusable.
the ban on exports of PPE, which opened up the world
market for indigenous manufacturers. However, a Both are widely acceptable
monthly quota of 50 lakh PPE medical coveralls has in today’s scenario because
been fixed. The notification came just a week after
the DGFT had issued a complete ban on export of all disposal of single use is
medical coveralls, goggles, gloves, and others. becoming very complicated.
So, reusables are also slowly
“We welcome the government’s move in lifting the
export ban on PPE kits. With aggressive production, coming in.”
most of the players reached production surplus and - Prakash Vasudevan,
the move will definitely help in channelizing our
production capacity. This development will also give Director, South Indian Textile
a push to the government’s ‘vocal for local’ initiative Research Association (SITRA), Coimbatore
and help Indian players in tapping the global market
and meet the increasing demand worldwide”, shares “PPE are essential
Karan Bose, Managing Director, Hula Global, New globally but European
Delhi. market most certainly

The world is now becoming increasingly cautious have the highest
regarding Chinese origin API (Active Pharmaceutical demand for PPEs. It
Ingredient), medical equipment and protective gears. has been a boon for the
Indian manufacturers are thus using this opportunity manufacturers in India to
to tap international market demands. be allowed to export.”

Satpal Yadav, Co-founder, AKS Clothings, - Yogesh Bhatia,
Founder & CEO, Detelpro, Gurugram

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com COVID-19 33

Gurugram is of the view that, “Ever since the DGFT Most countries in Europe and North America rely
imposed ban on exporting PPE kits, the price of the on Asia for 60 to 70 per cent of their PPE supply.
kits had been plummeted in the country, which was Besides China, Taiwan alone makes up for 20 per
not good for the manufacturers. We can now reach out cent of the supply of face masks, while other countries
to new markets and bring in some liquidity from the with PPE production capacity, include India, Japan,
outside. Lifting the ban is a wise decision that would Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, United States, and
benefit both the economy and the individual sellers, several European countries.
and given that our needs are well taken care of, there’s
no reason not to export those essential supplies to “PPE kits are essential globally but European market
those who are in need of them.” most certainly have the highest demand for PPEs. It
has been a boon for the manufacturers in India to be
The PPE industry is a mix of big and small players allowed to export. Since there is higher consumption,
but largely dominated by established manufacturers it has definitely created a good opportunity for the
like 3M, Ansell, DuPont, Honeywell Safety Products, manufacturers. But there still is a lot of scope for better
Kimberly Clarke Corporation, Lakeland, Moldex- quality PPEs in larger volume for sure”, says Yogesh
Metric and others, who are rising to the occasion to Bhatia, Founder & CEO, Detelpro, Gurugram.
meet the global demand.
The rise in production of these PPEs has also led to
“We welcome the government’s many concerns regarding the quality of the products.
move in lifting the export Many healthcare professionals have complained about
ban on PPE kits. This the breathing issues they face with the domestic PPE
and they prefer the imported ones as those are more
development will give a push comfortable. Moreover, the exports of the PPE have
to the government’s ‘vocal been capped to 50 lakh per month, which has stalled
for local’ initiative and help the production. The applications received to the DGFT
from July 1 to 3 regarding issuing export licences of
Indian players in tapping the these kits were examined and none of the applications
global market and meet the fulfilled their criteria. Thus, the Union Commerce
increasing demand worldwide.” Ministry took the decision to revise the policy and
the exporters are being invited to send new online
- Karan Bose, applications. With all this confusion and quality
Managing Director, Hula Global, New Delhi concerns, almost 20 lakh PPE remain unsold.

“Ever since the DGFT Amidst these hurdles, India should rise to this
imposed ban on moment and going forward, be even better primed to
meet the expectations and demands of its global family.
exporting PPE kits, One of the topmost requirements is collaborative
the price of the kits initiatives from government, private manufactures,
had been plummeted organizations and all the stakeholders to come up with
in the country, which solutions to create an ambient atmosphere for small
was not good for the companies and multinationals to survive in the time
of crisis.
manufacturers.”
- Satpal Yadav, India should also leverage the technical know-how
and build analytics to create efficient PPE supply chain
Co-founder, AKS Clothings, Gurugram management mechanisms to monitor high demand
of critical products. In addition, India should seek
“According to a study, there collaboration with countries, who are lead innovators
will be domestic demand of in this segment alongside bolstering up the research
institutions. For instance, scientists at Cornell
PPE worth Rs 10,000 crore University in the United States are working to improve
for the next one year and the efficiency and efficacy of PPEs by redesigning the
internationally there will be a entire protective gear system.
$60 billion business in 2025,
whereas India has done only So far, India has shown its innovative capabilities
$260 million so far last year.” and is continuing to do so. By gradually overcoming
the current bottlenecks, India is slowly inching
- A Sakthivel, towards becoming a global PPE hub very soon.
Chairman, Apparel Export Promotion Council
Vallari Mathure
(AEPC), New Delhi [email protected]

34 Q&A BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

“Biotech will get woven into more
diverse science education programmes”

« in line with NEP?

Dr Ramgopal Rao S, Biocon Academy has pioneered in taking the right
Academic Manager, initiatives in terms of imparting biotechnology industry
Biocon Academy, driven training and skill development programmes
Bengaluru that are and need of the hour as per NEP objectives.
We will continue to expand our programme offerings
in cutting edge areas by aligning with biotech-sector-
skills-in-demand with our experiential learning
model.

Aiming to make India a global knowledge How will digital learning impact the future of
superpower, the government has recently education in the BT/LS space?
announced the new National Education Policy
(NEP) 2020. Being the first education policy of the Digital learning will immensely help people to learn
21st century, it is set to address the many growing and grow by effectively connecting learners and
developmental imperatives of our country. And out of educators from across the globe. Although it has not
these many imperatives, bridging the skill gaps in the been much used by many in BT/LS space so far, it
biotechnology industry is one of them. To explore how is going to become part of the new normal. Digital
NEP 2020 can benefit the biotechnology/life sciences learning offers the students with a wide variety of
(BT/LS) education in India, BioSpectrum interacted platforms where they could use the principles of
with Dr Ramgopal Rao S, Academic Manager, Biocon automation, animation and analysis to enhance their
Academy, Bengaluru. Edited excerpts; learning, which has been otherwise neglected in a
faculty lead classroom.
How do you foresee changes in the field of
BT/LS with the new NEP 2020? What are the major challenges in promoting
BT/LS skills in India and how can those be
NEP emphasizes that India must take the lead in addressed?
preparing professionals in cutting-edge areas that
are fast gaining prominence such as biotechnology, Indian biotechnology education still suffers from
genomic studies, nanotechnology, neuroscience not being able to fully translate training into a
etc. Coming days will see biotechnology and allied successful employment. Although there are several
life science fields getting woven more and more reasons for this, one of the main reason is the lack of
into diverse undergraduate/postgraduate science enough practical skills as per industry needs. Being
education programmes in a far better way leading to cost extensive and research driven field, most of the
closer collaboration between industry and institutions biotechnology and allied courses offered by colleges
to drive innovation and research. These changes will / universities have not been able to provide ample
see increasing demand for application oriented courses options to hone their practical skills to the students
and talent pool that can match industry demands. sufficient enough to grab industry opportunities. Very
The policy is also focused on creating job creators few colleges/universities of India have taken steps to
than job seekers by focusing on the application of associate with industry and institutions of eminence
innovative ideas. Currently the sector is posing a good to seek academic collaborations to improve the
growth through expansion, merger and acquisitions quality of students coming out. To bridge these skill
and outsource model. It is very important to create a gaps, few very good initiatives have been taken so far
strong talent pool in this sector to convert this surge to – be it Biotech Consortium India Limited industry
a quality growth and sustain. internship programmes or Karnataka government’s
Biotechnology Skill Enhancement Programme.
What are the initiatives being planned to Although these short term internship programmes
strengthen your offerings for BT/LS students, have provided good industry exposure to many
candidates, they have not always translated into full
time job opportunities due to several reasons.

Dr Manbeena Chawla
[email protected]

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com SPONSORED CONTENT 35

36 SPONSORED CONTENT BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com Q&A 37

“We aim to make molecular
diagnostics based on RT-PCR
technology mainstream in India”

Backed by Serum Institute of India, Pune «
based startup Mylab Discovery Solutions
is aggressively launching new products Hasmukh Rawal,
in the diagnostic testing space to overcome the Managing Director,
challenges posed by the pandemic. After raising Mylab Discovery
funds from the Department of Biotechnology Solutions, Pune
(DBT) and few private investors, the Mylab team
has recently developed a fully-automated sample- XL allows you to run lab with just 1 technician;
to-PCR-ready system for molecular diagnostics, Less Equipment & Consumables- significantly
which is a first in India. Founded in 2016, it is cost saving on dozens of small equipment and
the first company in Asia and second company consumables, made obsolete by Compact XL;
worldwide to develop and manufacture FDA Zero Manual Error- automated process with no
approved ID-NAT kits for accurate detection of manual intervention. Accurate material handling
HIV, HBV, HCV and other infections. BioSpectrum and process adherence for reliable results;
India got in touch with Hasmukh Rawal, Managing Low maintenance- Compact XL is a hassle and
Director, Mylab Discovery Solutions to find out maintenance free system to save you costs in
more about the initiatives being taken up by the short and long term. To make India self-reliant
startup to combat COVID-19. Edited excerpts; in advanced diagnostics, Compact XL is our most
ambitious project to date.
What are the key advantages being offered
by the Compact XL system compared to Are you also offering reagents and other
the conventional RT-PCR testing systems? raw materials for carrying out the tests on
the machine?
Compact XL is a sample-to-PCR ready machine
for molecular diagnostics that eliminates the huge Yes, we would be supplying reagents and other
infrastructure cost of setting up a molecular lab. necessary raw material with the machine. This
It is designed to automate lab operations from includes the probes, primers etc.
sample handing to RT-PCR tube preparation.
It has flexibility to test multiple parameters How will it contribute to the current
with multiple samples at the same time, a never COVID-19 diagnostic testing scenario in
before feature. With 32 separate channels, dual India?
deck facility, automated barcode reading, auto-
fed protocol, self-sanitization and laboratory Compact XL is a giant leap in making molecular
information management system (LIMS) diagnostics accessible. It will eliminate traditional
connectivity defines Compact XL, as a complete barriers to the adoption of molecular diagnostics
walk-away system. It is a cartridge-based machine at labs and address any potential demand-supply
and can test multiple samples concurrently. gaps of highly skilled technicians for testing. It will
It can be used for a wide range of RNA/DNA- further speed-up the process of testing in India.
based tests including COVID-19 RT-PCR tests.
The machine can take a variety of sample types What is the cost of the machine? Where is
such as plasma, tissue, sputum and swab. Other it being manufactured?
benefits include: Save on real estate costs- no
need for multiple rooms and 1000+ sq ft of space. Compact XL is priced at Rs 40 lakh. It is being
Compact XL reduces footprint to single room of manufactured at our R&D Centre in Pune. Lower
100 sqft; Reduced manpower- a traditional lab
needs 3-4 skilled molecular biologists. Compact

38 Q&A BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

priced versions will also be made available to cater support from the government agencies in various
to centres in rural India. aspects of diagnostics.

How much has been invested in the Are you planning more initiatives in this
development of this machine? fight against COVID-19?

We have been developing this product for the last Mylab was the first diagnostic company to get
three years. We continue to invest in R&D and new commercial approval for RT-PCR test kits, which
technology products as we move forward. Compact were built in a record time of six weeks. Apart
XL is part of an overall investment in R&D, from this, last month we launched Compact XL
however, giving an exact number is not possible. to speed-up the testing process. Moreover, we
have recently launched an antigen rapid test at an
How are you planning to enhance the affordable cost of less than Rs 450. With this we
availability of Compact XL within India? have a portfolio of products to fight COVID-19.
Are you collaborating with hospitals and If need be, we will also launch products for sero
diagnostic labs, both private and public? surveillance.

Even before the launch of compact XL, we had What are the key highlights of the recently
started taking bookings. Till the time of the launch developed antigen test kit?
we have got 50 orders. We have started delivering
them now. We are working with both hospitals and Mylab antigen test kit is one of the most affordable
diagnostics labs. It is not a choice for us to go only test kits available in the market. This test kit
public or private. The reason being in India there along with RT-PCR test kit makes Mylab product
are places where public sector penetration is more portfolio expand to test COVID-19. Named
than private and vice versa. as Patho Catch Covid-19 AG Detection kit, it
requires no special equipment because of intuitive
What are the current challenges facing interpretation. It gives rapid results in 20 mins
the diagnostic space in India due to the and is accurate as the results are validated by PCR.
pandemic? How can it be addressed?
How do you plan to expand the reach
COVID-19 has exposed the gaps, which we as of the test kit within India? What is the
a country need to close on. These gaps are in manufacturing target?
different dimensions. For example, India needed
to and is making improvements on capacity We are already supplying our RTC-PCR test kits
building within the country, better and more to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
reliable tests available to the citizens, developing approved labs and hospitals. For the antigen
infrastructure at lab level across the country. testing, we would use our existing supply chain
This is addressed by a vibrant infrastructure of and work with same partners for the supply of
the research focused companies and labs and the antigen test kits. We will try to reach PAN India
quickly.

What are the current challenges facing the
antigen testing space in India?

The only challenge is to supply antigen testing to
all the remote and rural areas. We are working
with different partners to enable this. We are
hoping that government is also pushing in this
area.

What are the other plans in store post
COVID-19?

We have scores of products that are approved
and ready to be launched. Post-COVID-19, our
focus will be to take these products to market
so that molecular diagnostics based on RT-PCR
technology can become mainstream in India.

Dr Manbeena Chawla
[email protected]

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com SPONSORED CONTENT 39

Elastomer Stoppers with FluroTec® Film:
The Right Choice for SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines*

Development and distribution of a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 presents challenges that are, without hint of exaggeration,
unprecedented. One of these challenges concerns storage, namely selection of vial/stopper primary package systems that
guarantee quality and safety of the vaccine from manufacture through delivery. This selection is complicated greatly by the
accelerated timelines for vaccine approval.

Two aspects comprise the challenge in package system selection:
1. The first concerns the vaccine platform. Six platforms are now considered; they are listed with their proposed vehicles

in Table 1. (1) Noteworthy is that two of them (RNA, DNA) are new. Ordinarily, there would be no difficulty in selecting a
package system for any of the platforms, since ample time would be available for evaluation of compatibility with both the
vaccine and the vehicle. But, for a SARS- CoV-2 vaccine, this is not the case, since approval timelines are accelerated. So,
whether the vaccine platform is extant or new, selection of the package system must be made quickly. This creates a risk.
2. The second concerns stability during storage and distribution. A vaccine platform and package system may be identified,
but other factors must be considered, such as:
■ form: serum or lyophilized
■ delivery: multi- or single-dose
■ temperature: room (25oC), refrigerated (2-8oC), or low (-80oC)
■ availability of package system components

Lack of certainty regarding whether a package system is available, and can accommodate the format needed, creates a risk.

Table 1. Potential Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 (1)

Vaccine Platform Chemical Composition Vehicle Existing, Licensed Human Vaccine

RNA nucleotides (ribose groups, encapsulated in lipid in No
amino/amide groups, non-polar liquid
charged phosphate groups)

nucleotides (ribose groups, aqueous (saline)

DNA amino/amide groups, solution, encapsulated in No

charged phosphate groups) lipid in non-polar liquid

Recombinant Protein polypeptides (amino acid aqueous Yes (baculovirus and yeast expression)
groups)

Viral Vector Based virus shell comprises aqueous Yes (vesicular stomatitis virus)
proteins (i.e., polypeptide:
amino acid groups)

Live Attenuated virus shell comprises aqueous Yes
proteins (i.e., polypeptide:
amino acid groups)

Inactivated virus shell comprises aqueous Yes
proteins (i.e., polypeptide:
amino acid groups)

An approach that addresses the risks of both aspects is use of the highest performing elastomer stopper platform,
namely elastomer stoppers with FluroTec® film.

Employing the chemical properties of fluoropolymers, stoppers with FluroTec film: (1) reduce migration of leachables,
(2) reduce interaction with drug product, and (3) enable excellent container closure integrity at low temperatures. Globally
available and market accepted, based upon West analyses, they are FDA/EMA approved for over 125 drugs, including three
vaccines and 30 novel drugs. Available in multiple formats and sizes (serum/lyophilization, 13/20mm), they can accommodate
a variety of vaccine formats (currently six are in development). Taken altogether, stoppers with FluroTec film are clearly the
best choice, and enable the lowest risk, for SARS-CoV-2 vaccine package systems.

This is discussed in a new report by West scientists: Elastomer Stoppers with FluroTec Film:
The Right Choice for SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. To download the report or learn more about the FluroTec Film,

please contact [email protected].

1. Amanat, F. and Krammer, F. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines: Status Report. Immunity, 52, 583-589 (April 14, 2020)
* This article is abstracted from Ranjana Singh, Ph.D., William Garzon-Rodriguez, Ph.D., Peggy Frandolig, Cathy Zhao, Ph.D. and T.Page McAndrew, Ph.D. Elastomer

Stoppers with FluroTec Film: The Right Choice for SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines

40 COVID-19 BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Reviving trends for healthcare economy

« and upgrade facilities and services. Low-cost
healthcare delivery models will be developed for
Dr Dharminder Nagar, tier II & III towns and rural areas unleashing a
Member- FICCI Health parallel rural health economy with ramifications
Services Committee for ancillary economic activities. The
and Managing Director, government’s Ayushman Bharat along with other
Paras Healthcare, schemes will not only improve the standards
Gurugram of primary and secondary healthcare but also
complement the private sector initiatives.
While COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on
the larger economy, the healthcare • Buoyed by increased mobile and internet
sector is no exception. With healthcare penetration, digitisation of supply chain based on
sector experiencing operating loss to the tune of cloud solutions and advanced analytics will help
Rs 14,000 to 24,000 crore for the first quarter hospitals reduced costs, promote interoperability
with private sector reporting a 90 per cent drop in and bolster data protection and security while
revenue, it has been a roller-coaster of a ride so far. accelerating the uptake of telemedicine systems. In
fact, owing to telemedicine, small town-healthcare
How are we going to revive the sector once the will take a huge leap even in terms of secondary
virus goes away? The following measures or trends and tertiary care.
could revive the healthcare economy-
• Riding on the Contract Research and
• It is expected that the health expenditure as Manufacturing Services (CRAMs) increasingly
a proportion of Gross domestic product (GDP) is gaining traction in recent years, India will
likely to go up from 1.29 to 2.5 per cent by 2025. emerge as a global nerve centre for low-cost
This would give an all-round stimulus to the sector high-end research services. Also, there will be
with spill over effects across the entire value chain a substantial rise in R&D budgets of pharma
and the allied segments. companies with adequate policy and financial
support from the government. At the same time,
• The exposure and public knowledge of R&D in epidemiology, virology, microbiology,
our excessive import dependence on APIs and vaccination and testing methodology will
intermediates critical to essential drugs and become a focus area.
medical equipment and devices is set to trigger a
country-wide make-in-India pharma revolution • Biotechnology industry with an average
eventually leading to a self-reliant healthcare growth of around 30 per cent Y-o-Y will see
economy. Building of clusters and special considerable economic activities and value
economic zone (SEZs) with financial and policy creation riding on biopharma and bioservices and
support from government coupled with the policy support from the government.
inherent low-cost labour advantage will generate
production and productivity of bulk drugs as well • A host of big and small health tech startups
as formulations. At the same time, the ‘China would show up creating value addition for the
factor’ will attract both greenfield and brownfield sector as well as generating employment.
investments into the country.
• There will be a surge in provision for as well
• The hygiene, fitness and wellness economy is as uptake of emergency health services with mobile
set to get a boost. Also, manufacturing of medical hospitals and clinics with ready availability of
devices, rapid testing kits, ventilators and safety mobile healthcare professionals and paramedics.
equipment and gear will witness new forays and
expansion adding value to the healthcare economy. • Initiatives on healthcare insurance pushed by
government and private sector making its uptake
• The public private partnership (PPP) routine will generate revenue and employment
model will play out even more prominently with while securing benefits to the policyholders.
private sector raising investment in building
infrastructure including hospitals, nursing homes • In light of India playing the role of a globally-
and treatment centres with a view to both add spirited citizen helping hundreds of countries with
drugs and assistance during COVID-19, it will
give an impetus to medical tourism in a big way
while offering greater export opportunities thereby
shoring up the healthcare economy in the post-
pandemic times.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com PEOPLE NEWS 41

Trivitron announces Anand K steps in
Rajesh Patel as as CEO at SRL
CEO of IVD biz
Gurugram based diagnostic company SRL has
Chennai based Trivitron Healthcare, a leading announced appointment of Anand K as its new Chief
medical device company providing affordable Executive Officer (CEO). This is pursuant to the
healthcare solutions to the healthcare resignation of Arindam Haldar, the former CEO of
industry, has announced the appointment SRL, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside
of Rajesh Patel as Chief Executive Officer of SRL after leading the
(CEO) of In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD), India company over the last four
business. Patel is an experienced professional years. Anand has over 25
with around 29 years in the areas of sales, years of experience in the
healthcare industry in India
marketing and business and international markets.
development in the Prior to joining SRL, he was
healthcare segment. with Apollo Group, based
He has held a in Hyderabad, leading the
leadership role in diagnostics business of
global and Indian Apollo Health and Lifestyle.
healthcare companies His depth of experience in
and has a rich and diagnostics business goes
diverse experience even further when he was associated with Neuberg
in pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics, Metropolis and others. An acknowledged
clinical business leader, he is known for his strong record of
research, building and leading great teams whilst delivering
and exceptional results. Anand is a graduate in Medical
IVD/ Laboratory Technology from Jawaharlal Institute
medical of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research
devices (JIPMER), Puducherry and a postgraduate in
segment. management.

Sanofi India brings two directors to Board

Sanofi India has announced Chief Financial Officer at Bharti Marc-Antoine Lucchini
the appointment of two Enterprises Limited until 2016. Rahul Bhatnagar
new directors to its Board. He is an Independent Director
The Board of Directors of on the board of Whirlpool India
the company at its meeting, Limited and Akzo Nobel India
approved the appointment Limited. Marc Antoine Lucchini
of Rahul Bhatnagar and is presently the head of the
Marc Antoine Lucchini, as International region at Sanofi,
Additional Director (Non- representing 68 countries with
Executive & Independent), sales of € 4.3 billion. Lucchini
and as Additional Director is a French national, who has
(Non-Executive), respectively. over 30 years of experience in
Rahul Bhatnagar is a Chartered the pharmaceutical industry.
Accountant and MBA from During his career, he has been
Wharton. He has had a long successfully operating in many
career in finance and strategy different environments in
with reputed organizations pharma operations in France
like Nestle, Pepsi and Bharti first, and then in the United
Group. Bhatnagar last served States in more strategic roles in
as the Managing Director and the company’s headquarter.

42 PEOPLE NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Waters Corporation names
Dr Udit Batra as President & CEO

Waters Corporation has Batra brings to Waters more Omega
announced that Udit Batra, Ph.D. than two decades of leadership Healthcare
has been named the company’s and operational expertise in hires new
President and Chief Executive the healthcare and life sciences CFO
Officer (CEO). He will also join industry, including a proven track
Waters’ Board of Directors at record of driving results at the top Bengaluru based
that time. Dr Batra succeeds of the industry and successfully Omega Healthcare
Christopher O’Connell. Dr managing a global organization. Management Services,
Most recently, Dr Batra served an offshore provider of
as Chief Executive Officer of the tech-enabled services
$7.7 billion life science business and solutions in the
of publicly traded Merck KGaA, global healthcare
Darmstadt, Germany, which services sector,
operates as MilliporeSigma in has announced the
the United States and Canada. appointment of Kannan
In this role, he led the business’ Sugantharaman as its
successful integration of Sigma- chief financial officer
Aldrich, which was acquired in (CFO). Sugantharaman
2015, resulting in the creation of will be spearheading
MilliporeSigma. Since that time, the finance functions
Dr Batra oversaw a strategic at Omega across India,
transformation of the business the Philippines and
and drove above-market organic the US. He has over
sales growth and margins, which 21 years of experience
remain the highest among in finance operations
MilliporeSigma’s integrated peers. with leading companies
in the industry, where
DBT India Alliance appoints he has held leadership
Dr V Sambandamurthy as CEO positions. He has
previously worked with
The DBT/Wellcome Trust Manager and General Manager Cognizant, KPMG,
India Alliance has announced over the past 6 years. He completed and Sutherland Global
the appointment of Dr Vasan his post-doctoral training as a Services.
Sambandamurthy as its next Chief Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Executive Officer (CEO). He
will succeed Dr Shahid (HHMI) fellow at the Albert
Jameel on October 1 2020. Einstein College of
Dr Sambandamurthy Medicine in New York.
joins the India Alliance Dr Sambandamurthy
with over 20 years of gained his Ph.D. from the
experience in vaccine and Tuberculosis Research
drug discovery. He has Centre (Indian Council
previously held leadership of Medical Research) in
positions at Novartis, Chennai and completed his
AstraZeneca, Syngene and post-graduate degree in
most recently at Biocon Medical Microbiology
Limited, where he from the Christian
has worked as Medical College
Chief Scientific and Hospital
in Vellore.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com PEOPLE NEWS 43

Biocon COO receives Dr Shahid
ICT distinguished Jameel joins
alumnus award Ashoka University

Bengaluru based Biocon Biologics India, a subsidiary of New Delhi based Ashoka University,
Biocon, has recently announced that Shreehas Tambe, its the leading Liberal Arts and Sciences
Chief Operating Officer (COO), has been conferred the UAA- University in India, has announced the
appointment of Dr
ICT Distinguished Alumnus Award Shahid Jameel as the
(Professional) 2020 for his contribution Director of the Trivedi
to the field of biopharmaceuticals. School of Biosciences. Dr
UDCT Alumni Association (UAA) is the Jameel came to Ashoka
interactive networking and information University after spending
platform for all alumni of the Institute over seven years as
of Chemical Technology (ICT), Chief Executive Officer
Mumbai. Tambe began his professional of the DBT/Wellcome
journey at Biocon as a management Trust India Alliance.
trainee in 1997 starting out in the Dr Jameel has received
R&D department, where he led the the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in
design and development of a novel bioreactor that later Medical Sciences, India’s highest mid-
became Biocon’s first U.S. patent to be granted and won the career research award. He is also a Fellow
National Award for Best Technology of the Year in 2001. of the Indian National Science Academy,
He also set up the immunesuppressants franchise bringing the Indian Academy of Sciences and the
innovative automation approaches to address challenging National Academy of Sciences, India.
fermentation and complex chemistry problems.

44 ACADEMICS NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Trivitron pushes digital Ramaiah announces
new international
era for medical education medical pathway

Chennai based Trivitron Healthcare enters into Bengaluru based Ramaiah Group of Institutions
collaboration with US based Anatomage Inc., in association with St George’s University in West
a market leader in 3D medical virtualization Indies, with more than 21,000 graduates including
technology, to distribute virtual anatomy physicians, veterinarians, scientists, and public
dissection table for medical education for health and business professionals across the world, is
scholars, researchers, medical and healthcare offering medical
students in south and west regions in India. aspirants
Anatomage’s virtual anatomy dissection table in India an
offers strategic advantage when it comes to innovative
medical education and anatomical studies educational
offering advanced and unique anatomy pathway
content to users for educational and training to practice
purposes. The Anatomage table is the only fully medicine in
segmented real human 3D anatomy system. India, the
Users can visualize anatomy exactly as they US, or UK.
would on a fresh cadaver. Individual structures The new pathway offers a superlative possibility
are reconstructed in accurate 3D, resulting for aspiring physicians to go into a global medical
in an unprecedented level of real accurate profession and begin to analyze closer to their Doctor
anatomy, dissectible in 3D. The table allows for of Medicine (MD) diploma in September 2020.
exploration and learning of human anatomy Ramaiah will permit the candidates to begin their
beyond what any cadaver could offer. journey closer to turning into a health practitioner
in an acquainted surroundings in which they can
build strong relationships with other students in their
cohort before transferring abroad collectively as a
near-knit institution. The new pathway provides 10+2
graduates the opportunity to obtain a MD degree that
is recognized by the Medical Council of India, through
a 5-year pathway.

Bow Valley College collaborates with Chitkara University

Bow Valley College in coming to Canada. The
Canada, a publicly funded
college, has announced first cohort under the
a pathway programme
with Chandigarh based HHSM post-diploma
Chitkara University, in
the faculty of healthcare certificate arrangement
for students. Chitkara
students, who have is expected to start in
graduated from any stream
of healthcare programmes January 2021, based
can now transfer to the Health &
Human Services Management on the easing of travel
(HHSM), one-year post-diploma
certificate at Bow Valley College and other restrictions in
through Chitkara University.
Eligible candidates will be offered Canada. Students, who will

graduate from Bow Valley

College will be eligible to

a letter of acceptance from Bow apply for a post-graduate work
Valley College. The students
will apply for their study permit permit in Canada or even pursue
and go through four weeks of
orientation programming at other diploma programmes from
Chitkara University, before
Bow Valley College or a degree

with a public university pathway

partner.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com R&D NEWS 45

IISc makes oxygen IIT Mandi uses
generation system computational
tool to study
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, have coronavirus
developed an oxygen generation system for small-scale medical
requirements. The process uses low power and meets the specifications Indian Institute of Technology
as per the government. The (IIT), Mandi research team, in
process draws ambient air collaboration with researchers
through a compressor along from Virginia Commonwealth
with an air conditioning University and the University
system to remove any of South Florida, USA, has
contaminants in the air used computational tools to
before the separation. The understand an important
oxygen separation takes part of the viral proteome
place within a twin-bed called Intrinsically Disordered
vacuum swing adsorption Protein Regions (IDPRs).
system integrated with In COVID-19, the RNA is
a small storage volume translated first into proteins,
as a discharge vessel and which perform a wide range
various safety systems. The equipment build material and the oxygen of functions. Since protein
produced fulfills the gas quality requirements as prescribed by Indian functions depend both on
Pharmacopeia and can be used in clinical wards. The choice of materials ordered and disordered
for the equipment meets the prescribed standards. regions, it is important
to understand the whole
IIT-D works on home proteome considering both
based COVID-19 test ordered and disordered
proteins. The team has also
antibodies. This project, a compared IDPRs among
collaboration between IIT-D and the closely related viruses.
National Chemical Laboratory Such comparisons enable
(NCL), Pune, has the potential of a better understanding of
making a meaningful difference the sequence and structural
to this situation by enabling peculiarities of the evolution
affordable, home-based testing. of the virus and their
The IIT-D research team will virulence. The IIT Mandi
be working on this project researchers plan to conduct
from its idea incubation to more in-depth studies to
implementation stage. The establish structure-function
proof of concept is expected relationships for a better
by end of 2020, and the kits understanding of the
could be in market by March functioning of SARS-CoV-2
2021. This research will utilise proteins.
the microplate-based enzyme
US based Wells Fargo immune-assay technique. The
International Solutions through choice of antigen will be a peptide
their philanthropic partner, that has been computationally
United Way of Bengaluru identified. Structural analysis
(UWBe) has joined hands of the available complex
with the Indian Institute will be performed to design
of Technology (IIT), Delhi a novel peptide that has a
(IIT-D) for the development complementary property with
of a peptide-based ELISA test spike protein of COVID-19.
for the detection of COVID-19

46 R&D NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

SNBNCBS develops device for screening bilirubin in newborns

Researchers at the S.N. Bose preterm, and term neonates
National Centre for Basic Sciences irrespective of gestational or
(SNBNCBS), Kolkata, have postnatal age, sex, risk factors,
developed a device called AJO- feeding behavior or skin color.
Neo. The operation of the device The device is found to deliver an
is based on non-contact and almost instantaneous report in
non-invasive spectrometry-based about 10 seconds to a concerned
techniques for measurement of doctor, who is sitting 10,000
neonatal bilirubin level as an km away from the point of care.
alternative of total serum bilirubin This is a significant achievement
(TSB) test without limitations of compared to the conventional
other available bilirubin meters. blood test method, which may take
According to the study conducted more than 4 hours to generate the
by the SNBNCBS team, the newly report. The technology has been
developed device is reliable in transferred to a Vijayawada based
measuring bilirubin levels in company called Zyna Medtech.

IIT Kgp brings portable THSTI designs
rapid diagnostic human monoclonal
device for COVID-19 Ab against SARS-CoV2

In a unique effort, researchers at IIT Kharagpur (Kgp) A team of scientists from Faridabad
have innovated a novel portable rapid diagnostic device based Translational Health Science and
to detect COVID-19 infection. This first-of-its-kind device Technology Institute (THSTI) Infection
will bring the testing for COVID-19 out from the walls and Immunity Program has developed the
of expensive laboratories and RT-PCR machines and human monoclonal antibody (mAb) against
enable testing at affordable costs for the under-served the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-
community across the world. This entire test can be CoV2. The mAb has been shown to bind to the
conducted in an ultra-low-cost portable enclosure as an receptor-binding domain (RBD) protein of
alternative to specialized laboratory equipment. The same SARS-CoV2 with high affinity and specificity.
portable unit can be used for a large number of tests, on The RBD of the spike protein of SARS-
mere replacement of the paper cartridge after each test. CoV2 is the primary target for neutralizing
The device has been proven to produce no false result antibodies to block infection. The team hopes
with remarkable accuracy and sensitivity compatible to this ‘in-house’ mAb facilitates COVID-19
standard RT-PCR tests. This test has an unprecedented research activities across the country. The
low cost of less than Rs 400 per test, taking all components team has developed different formats of
of expenses and business model into account. this mAb - scFv, scFv-Fc, and IgG1 against
COVID-19. This well-established platform
allows isolating neutralizing antibodies
against COVID-19, which might be helpful to
use as an alternate therapeutic.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com R&D NEWS 47

INST develops hybrid JNCASR
compound to counter cancer cells creates
device for
Scientists from the Institute which over the last decades, monitoring
of Nano Science & Technology established promising biological cells & tissues
(INST), Mohali have synthesized activities by the virtue of their
a novel inorganic-organic hybrid great diversity in structures and The need for monitoring
compound that can inhibit breast, properties. of growth patterns of
lung, and liver cancer cells, cells over long hours on
opening up new possibilities for desired substrates and
metallodrugs. The solid compound the functionality of an
based on phosphomolybdate explant-tissue in a non-
cluster, an inorganic salt of vivo environment in their
phosphomolybdic acid, belongs laboratory triggered a team
to the polyoxometalates (POMs) from Bengaluru based
family, which had earlier been Jawaharlal Nehru Centre
identified to have antitumor for Advanced Scientific
potential. The team of scientists Research (JNCASR), to
has chalked out the mechanism come up with a suitable
by which the compound kills the device. The researchers
cancer cells. POMs are an evolving implemented a 3D-Fluidic
class of inorganic metal oxides, device (3D-FD), which has
an auto bubble guidance
IIIT-D builds AI model to repurpose geometry, which allows
existing drugs for COVID-19 controlled medium
exchange to maintain the
repositioning in the treatment metabolites without a
of COVID-19. The AI model trace of fluid leakage and
computes the similarity between bubble formation. The auto
the chemical structures of bubble guidance geometry
the drugs and the similarity and controlled delivery
between the genomic structures of the medium make it
of existing viruses and the efficient as a drug screening
novel coronavirus. The model platform and unique in the
then looks at the historical current scenario of neuro-
information about the efficacy technology.
of the drugs on different viruses
In a bid to counter the and selects similar drugs
coronavirus pandemic that has based on chemical structure
been rampaging around the that have been successful in
world, Indraprastha Institute treating viruses that have a
of Information Technology genomic structure close to that
(IIIT), Delhi has worked on of the novel coronavirus. Thus
a computational AI (artificial far, the AI model has selected
intelligence) model for drug Remdesivir, Umifenovir,
Ribavirin and Sofosbuvir as
prospective cures, and all of
them are undergoing trials for
COVID-19. The computational
model and the state of clinical
practice are thus in sync with
each other.

48 SUPPLIER NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Thermo Fisher unveils PerkinElmer releases
website for chemical novel COVID-19
biz offerings in India serology test

Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving sci- PerkinElmer, a global leader committed
ence, announced the launch of a new website for its chem- to innovating for a healthier world, has
icals business offerings. This website will serve as a dedicat- announced the launch of a dry blood spot
ed platform towards an extensive range of laboratory and (DBS) based test for SARS-CoV-2 IgG
production chemicals. The new website will bring all major using its GSP/DELFIA platform, enabling
chemical brands from Thermo Fisher Scientific including processing of up to 5,000 samples per
Alfa Aesar, Acros Organics, Fisher Chemicals, Qualigens, day. The finger-prick sample collection
Fisher Bioregaents and Maybridge under one umbrella. device allows for both decentralized sample
Qualigens, the locally manufactured brand in India, will have collection and high-throughput testing.
its first online presence through this website. This will enable The product is being marketed as a CE-
customers to explore the chemicals portfolio and have a con- IVD test, and the company plans to apply
sistent digital experience. Thermo Fisher invites customers for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)
from various segments including educational institutions, with the US Food and Drug Administration
research and development, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, (FDA). Serological tests detect antibodies
food & beverage and environmental sector, to get acquainted that are formed after an immune reaction
with the capabilities that the new website will offer. The web- to the pathogen has taken place. These
site is equipped with customized chemical search capabilities tests can determine if an individual has
like structure search and element search and options to view developed immunity to a virus. Researchers
availability and pricing for specific brands. are still studying how long antibodies last
and whether they are protective against the
COVID-19 virus.

Pfanstiehl sets new quality standards for amino acids

Following a record 100th year in quality amino acids for the Pfanstiehl’s new L-Histidine
business, Pfanstiehl has launched biopharma market has been a High Purity / Low Endotoxin-
high purity, low endotoxin, low challenge, which is why many Low Metals-USP, EP, JP,
metal L-Histidine and L-Histidine customers enlisted Pfanstiehl to ChP (H-116) and L-Histidine
Hydrochloride Monohydrate and help develop a better alternative. Hydrochloride Monohydrate,
established a new quality standard High Purity / Low Endotoxin-
for amino acids. Amino acids are Low Metals, EP, JP, ChP (H-117)
critical components utilized in products have market leading
bioprocessing for both upstream specifications, which show a tight
and downstream applications. control of endotoxin and trace
With the ever-increasing metal impurities reflected with
regulatory requirements placed Elemental Impurity Data in parts
on bioprocessing components, per billion on their specifications.
there is a drive towards using These products are suitable for
higher quality products when bioprocessing, solubilization and
available. Availability of high- stabilization applications.

BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com SUPPLIER NEWS 49

SCHOTT AG delivers vials to package 2 Bn doses of COVID-19 vaccines

German glass manufacturing Institute (India) and several the company produces the
giant SCHOTT AG is supporting other players. The joint venture pharmaceutical glass tubing for
the world’s fight against operates four manufacturing the packaging itself at its global
COVID-19 with vials capable facilities in the country located sites including one in Jambusar
of holding up to 2 billion in Jambusar and Umarsadi in in Gujarat. All of SCHOTT’s 20
vaccination doses. The pharma Gujarat, Daman, and Baddi in production sites for pharma glass
glass and packaging specialist has Himachal Pradesh. In addition, and packaging are validated by
reached agreements with leading regulatory bodies and pharma
pharmaceutical companies, companies. This means that
including key players in India. additional capacities can be used
The global agreements became immediately without further
effective last month and first vials regulatory efforts. Even before
are already being delivered to the expansions, SCHOTT already
companies in Asia, North America produced more than 11 billion
and Europe. In India, SCHOTT’s pharma containers globally for
50-50 joint venture, SCHOTT life-saving drugs per annum,
KAISHA is supplying vials for of which a nine-digit figure is
COVID-19 vaccines to Serum manufactured locally in India.

Eurofins launches SCIEX focuses on
affordable COVID-19 test
characterization
Eurofins U.S. Clinical Diagnostics has launched pooled
PCR test to detect SARS-CoV-2 and significantly reduce of biotherapeutics
the price per PCR test for clients. Pooling tests, historically
used in blood banks, can now be used by the myriad of SCIEX, a global leader
industries seeking a highly accurate and cost-effective in life science analytical
means to conduct COVID-19 testing. Those industries technologies, and 908
include corporations, sports organizations, educational Devices, a pioneer of
institutions, congregate care/nursing, and manufacturing. purpose-built analytical
Along with sentinel assays, pooled testing will be another devices for chemical and
integral tool in Eurofins’ comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 biomolecular analysis in
SAFER@WORK programme. The test is being offered the US, have announced the
through its network of U.S. laboratories, including general availability of the
Viracor Eurofins. Pooling can be used to continuously ZipChip platform on SCIEX
and cost-effectively monitor prescreened, low-risk groups mass spectrometers (MS). With this release,
that show a low prevalence of COVID-19 infection. It can SCIEX expands its suite of MS front end
also be used as part of surveillance testing for positive separation solutions, providing additional
individuals in quarantine. Weekly or bi-weekly pooling in flexibility to MS researchers for both large
combination with other Eurofins’ SARS-CoV-2 antibody, and small molecules. The ZipChip platform by
surface, wastewater, air and used mask assays, can help 908 Devices is an electrophoretic separation
organisations reduce the risk of the current pandemic for device based on microfluidic technology that
significantly less than using regular PCR tests. directly integrates electrospray ionization
with mass spectrometry. Compatible
MS systems include the SCIEX Triple
Quad, QTRAP and high-end TripleTOF
systems. For biotherapeutic developers,
it is important to obtain comprehensive
information and critical quality attributes.
The ZipChip platform paired with a SCIEX
mass spectrometer allows quick, routine
characterization of biotherapeutics on an
intact and near-native level.

50 SUPPLIER NEWS BIOSPECTRUM | SEPTEMBER 2020 | www.biospectrumindia.com

Krishgen BD introduces next-gen
develops microbiology solution
COVID-19
detection Becton, Dickinson and unloading of samples and plates
assays Company (BD) has announced during operation, minimizing
availability of the new BD interruptions to workflow. The
Mumbai based Krishgen Kiestra InoqulA system powered system uses unique rolling-bead
Biosystems has released by BD Synapsys informatics technology to generate more
two enzyme-linked solution. The BD Kiestra discrete colonies than traditional
immunosorbent assay InoqulA, which is available as manual loop-based streaking.
(ELISA) tests for a standalone instrument for BD Synapsys informatics
SARS-CoV-2 detection, microbiology labs, is a high solution is an advanced, secure
GENLISA surrogate throughput solution that offers and scalable platform that
virus neutralization test enhanced workflow flexibility provides connectivity for several
(sVNT) and the GENLISA allowing the user to seamlessly BD diagnostic instruments,
inhibitor screening test. switch between two modes to rules-based workflow and on-
The GENLISA sVNT test is process liquid and non-liquid demand actionable insights to
based on the principal of samples, enabling on demand help laboratories impact their
virus neutralization. The processing of urgent samples performance.
second assay GENLISA and continuous loading and
inhibitor screening ELISA
test detects presence of Agilent Technologies brings
potential inhibitors in the solutions for hemp testing
samples to compete with
human ACE2 protein in Agilent Technologies has announced solutions for the fast-growing
combination with the SARS cannabis and hemp testing market. The new Agilent eMethods product,
Cov2 S protein. Krishgen has as well as the cannabis and hemp potency kit and the cannabis pesticide
also signed a Memorandum and mycotoxin kit, offer testing labs simple and effective solutions
of Understanding (MoU) to help them get up and running quickly. Developing reliable testing
with the Department of Stem protocols for complex matrices such as cannabis and hemp is arduous
Cells in Wockhardt Hospitals and time-consuming, especially for newer laboratories. Agilent eMethods
Mumbai, to test their anti- delivers downloadable ready-to-run instrumental methods that establish
SARS-CoV-2 IgG spike reliable, efficient protocols with an end-to-end workflow that addresses
protein ELISA and another the different testing needs, and offers guidance on sample preparation,
nucleoprotein antibody IgG consumables, and supplies. eMethods also provides a complete analytical
ELISA as per protocol. system configuration for automation, sample introduction, separation,
and detection, along with data processing and reporting capabilities. The
kits assist labs by offering fast setup and simplification of the analysis of
the complex matrices involved with cannabis and hemp testing.