CCMB to validate COVID-19 testing kits

Hyderabad, Apr 14 () The city-based Centre forCellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has been chosen as oneof the five validation centres for coronavirus testing kits inthe country by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

CCMB is the only non-ICMR lab to be a part of theseCentres of Excellence that will validate the non-US FDA (Foodand Drug Administration) and non-EUA (Emergency UseAuthorisation) approved kits for COVID-19 testing, a pressrelease said.

"Since March 31, CCMB itself has been a testing centrefor COVID-19, and has been working with hospitals across 33districts of Telangana. It has also trained medical doctorsand staff from government hospitals in the state.

This new responsibility of kit validation will now enableus to support the healthcare and life science industry sectorto bring all stakeholders together in this fight againstCOVID-19," Director of CCMB, Rakesh Mishra said.

Lack of COVID-19 testing kits developed and imported fromother countries necessitates India to develop its own kits, itsaid.

While multiple start-ups and life science companiesacross the country have been already identified for theirability to develop such kits, they would need to be quicklyvalidated.

These CoEs will be crucial in their validation, andapproval for use for the testing centres, the release added. GDKROH ROH