Thursday, Jan 21 2021 | Time 21:16 Hrs(IST)
image
  • Two COVID-19 related deaths, six new cases, 420 inoculated in Meghalaya
  • Konark to be developed into a world-class tourist destination
  • Govt committed to resolve boundary issue, says Meghalaya CM
  • Heroin, Opium worth Rs 6 cr seized in Anantnag, 1 held
  • Authority waived covid test for entering Sri Jagannath temple
  • Modi to virtually inaugurate year-long events on Chauri Chaura incident
  • Five dead in fire at Serum Institute of India in Pune
  • Lalu and left trying to make Bihar, a graveyard of Industries: Modi
  • Odisha Congress MLA opposes Bharatmala Pariyojana project
  • Delhi Metro: First tunneling drive of Ph-4 started at Vikaspuri
  • Five die in fire at Pune Serum Institute; Covishield production not hit
  • Jamaat-e-Islami Hind to spread message of humanity & peace through weeklong campaign in Maha from tomorrow
  • Plans to fast track development process towards transforming Meghalaya into model state says Sangma
  • COVID-19 Vaccination begins in remote North and Middle Andaman
Business EconomyPosted at: Jan 14 2021 2:21PM


CSIR-IGIB & SpiceHealth to launch genome sequencing at Delhi’s IGI airport

Kolkata, Jan 14 (UNI) In a move that would ensure early action in containing new mutant
variants of Covid-19 detected in United Kingdom and other countries, SpiceHealth has
tied-up with CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) to set up a
portable testing laboratory for genome sequencing at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International
airport for all positive samples from international travellers.
CSIR-IGIB is a constituent member of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium
(INSACOG) recently announced by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Under this program, all positive samples from international travellers arriving at Delhi’s
IGI airport would be sequenced at the airport sequencing laboratory, to ensure early action
in containing new mutant variants that have increased transmissibility.
SpiceHealth’s genome sequencing laboratory was inaugurated by Dr. V.K. Paul, Member
(Health) NITI Aayog & Chairman, National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for
Covid-19 (NEGVAC), in the presence of Dr. Anurag Agrawal, Director, CSIR-IGIB, Ajay
Singh, CMD, SpiceJet and Avani Singh, CEO, SpiceHealth.
Sequencing at the airport is expected to significantly minimize the time to necessary
action. CSIR’s experience using portable sequencers suggests that it is possible to identify
variants within 48 hours of a person arriving in India and testing positive. If the samples
are shipped to regional sequencing labs and then sequenced with the next batch, such
time would be approximately one week or more. Sequencing at the airport could thus
save as much as five days of potential transmission, reducing the spread of the imported
variant strains.
Avani Singh, CEO, SpiceHealth, said, “As our country is preparing for the world’s largest vaccination drive, we cannot afford any form of new distraction that may dilute the ongoing
efforts in our war against the Covid-19 pandemic. The new mutant strains of Coronavirus
need immediate and effective attention. Our collaboration with CSIR-IGIB is a significant step towards early detection of new mutant variants. SpiceHealth is firmly committed towards this
resolve and is proud to roll out a first-of-its-kind laboratory for sequencing at the Delhi airport.
An early detection will be crucial to stop the spread of new mutant viruses coming into our
country. We are working relentlessly with a range of authorities while offering them all
possible support to implement this on-ground.”
“SpiceHealth was thoughtfully founded with the vision of introducing innovative healthcare solutions aimed at serving the masses. With constant innovation and affordability,
SpiceHealth’s mission is to keep collaborating with our government to revolutionise healthcare
in India.”
Dr. Shekhar C Mande, DG, CSIR, said, “Throughout the pandemic CSIR labs, including CSIR-IGIB, have been at the forefront of genomic surveillance using different platforms which
has enabled the partnership with SpiceHealth in quickly launching the sequencing at the
airports which will be a game changer in identification of the SARS-CoV-2 variants.
I compliment SpiceHealth for being instrumental in introducing the dry swab direct RT-PCR
testing developed by CSIR-CCMB, at SpiceHeath’s mobile labs.”
Dr. Anurag Agrawal, Director, CSIR-IGIB, said, “Affordable and widespread point of care sequencing is one of the most important new trends in next age diagnostics. Here, we plan
to use it to help in better monitoring and managing the SARS CoV2 pandemic, but this is
just a beginning towards its many potential clinical and public health applications.”
The latest announcement from SpiceHealth, a health care company founded by the
promoters of SpiceJet comes on the backdrop of the Company’s two successive pioneering
and first-of-its-kind initiatives. On November 23, SpiceHealth had successfully launched its
first mobile testing facility offering the most affordable RT-PCR testing at Rs. 499/ only.
SpiceHealth is currently conducting 10,000-15,000 tests per day at its labs functioning at government requested locations around Delhi NCR.
In its bid to offer strong resistance against Covid-19, the Company tied up with CSIR-CCMB
for conducting the game changing dry swab RT-PCR tests at SpiceHealth’s mobile testing laboratories. This move was aimed at significantly ramping up testing, while reducing the cost
and time.
Earlier, SpiceHealth had also launched SpiceOxy – a compact, portable, non-invasive
ventilation device, which is an effective solution for patients with mild to moderate breathing
issues. Additionally, SpiceHealth had also introduced fingertip pulse oximeter, a handy
device making it easier for people to measure the oxygen level of the blood.
UNI BM
Please log in to get detailed story.
Tags: #CSIR-IGIB & SpiceHealth to launch genome sequencing at Delhi’s IGI airport
More News

Gemopai Electric announces launch of four dealership stores across AP, Telangana

21 Jan 2021 | 5:55 PM

Hyderabad, Jan 21 (UNI) Gemopai Electric, a value-for-money Electric Vehicles (EVs) Manufacturer in Gurgaon, on Thursday announced the launch of four dealership stores across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

see more..

Rupee up 4 paise against USD

21 Jan 2021 | 5:23 PM

Mumbai, Jan 21 (UNI) The Rupee on Thursday moved up by four paise to close at 72.99 against the US Dollar on selling of US Dollars by bankers and exporters, dealers at the Forex Market said.

see more..

General Aeronautics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Specialist, Raises INR 65 Million Pre-Series A Funding

21 Jan 2021 | 5:22 PM

BANGALORE, India, Jan. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- General Aeronautics (GA), a specialist in Drones for precision agriculture, today announced a INR 65 million pre-series A financing led by Mela Ventures. With the investment, GA will expand its go-to market programs, and will continue to invest in the areas of high reliability and efficient spraying, operational support including training Drone Pilots.

see more..

Panchshil Office Parks Honoured with 3 Safety Oscars

21 Jan 2021 | 5:20 PM

- Eon Free Zone-1, Business Bay & Tech Park One Campuses Conferred the Highest Health & Safety Accolade by British Safety Council
PUNE, India, Jan. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Panchshil Office Parks—a unit of Pune-based Panchshil Realty— today announced that it has won 3 prestigious Swords of Honour from the British Safety Council for 3 of its marquee office campuses in Pune.

see more..
Sensex falls 167 36 pts

Sensex falls 167 36 pts

21 Jan 2021 | 5:15 PM

Mumbai, Jan 21 (UNI)The BSE Sensex on Thursday slipped by 167.36 pts to settle at 49,624.76
on selling in Realty, Telecom, Metal and Materials stocks.

see more..
image