COVID-19 testing kit developed by researchers in West Bengal gets ICMR nod

Kolkata, May 7 () A low-priced COVID-19 testing kitdesigned by a group of researchers in West Bengal has receivedthe approval of ICMR, and would soon be employed to examinesamples, an official statement said on Thursday.

The kit 'DiAGSure nCOV-19 Detection Assay' canmeet the growing demand for testing equipment across thecountry to a certain extent.

Priced around Rs 500, the device has demonstrated anear-100 per cent accuracy in detecting the virus in a shortspan of 90 minutes, the statement said quoting an ICMR report.

Developed indigenously, one kit can test up to 160patients, it said.

The researchers, under the guidance of former CSIRscientist Samit Adhyay, put together the kit in a matter ofone-and-half months with logistic support from Koustubh Panda,the head of the biotechnology department, University ofCalcutta, the statement said.

The equipment was then developed by GCC Biotech(India) Private Ltd, a company based in Bakrahat, South 24Parganas, following rigorous clinical trials, it added. SUSRMS RMS