PUNE: India’s very own molecular diagnostics company, Mylab Discovery Solutions, that launched the first indigenous RT-PCR testing kit is now stepping into antigen testing kits with the commercial approval from the ICMR. This development now adds another product to Mylab’s suite of testing solutions for COVID-19 virus. This kit was developed in partnership with Gujarat-based LabCare Diagnostics. LabCare is into clinical chemistry reagents, serology test, immuno-chromatographic tests and urine analysis strips.

It is the first truly Indian company kit to receive commercial approval from ICMR and is named as Pathocatch COVID-19 Antigen Rapid testing kit. The launch of antigen testing kit is in line with the government’s expectation to increase rapid testing which is the Point-of-Care method and complements the more rigorous RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) test to detect coronavirus. As infections surge across the country, more states are now allowing antigen-based rapid testing in India.

Hasmukh Rawal, MD, Mylab Discovery Solutions said, “Mylab team is working really hard to fight this pandemic in every possible way. After bringing an affordable RT-PCR test to reduce dependence on foreign kits, we launched Compact XL to accelerate COVID-19 testing. Now, with the approval for an antigen testing kit, we will cover whole spectrum of COVID-19 testing and leave no stone unturned to fight this pandemic”

Health experts believe that to keep up with the pace of infections, India needs a combination of both antigen and RT-PCR testing. Those who are found positive in the antigen test are considered positive, while those who get a negative result in antigen test are then tested with RT-PCR test for confirmation. So, only suspected negative cases go for RT-CR testing. This will save time and cost, hence speed-up the process of testing and isolation.

“While COVID-19 vaccine gets developed, aggressive testing is an important tool that we have. Mylab is committed to provide high-quality indigenous solutions for testing, which we believe has been possible because we had support from our investors and the government agencies such as BIRAC and TDB to name a few, With all this support, we hope to keep up in this fight” added Mr. Sujit Jain, Director, Mylab. The kit is developed and manufactured in India. The kit will be available for orders immediately and will be priced around INR 450.

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