Currently, Mylab has a manufacturing capacity of 2,00,000 RT-PCR and 50,000 RNA tests
Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions has scaled up its development and production of COVID-19 testing kit with the help of strategic funding by the Department of Biotechnology, according to an offcial statement.
Currently, Mylab has a manufacturing capacity of 2,00,000 RT-PCR and 50,000 RNA tests.
The company has recently launched a molecular laboratory machine, Compact XL that can manufacture various reagents as well as perform many molecular tests in a single machine unit.
The machine will help India in setting up molecular diagnostic labs in rural India as it eliminates huge infrastructure costs, capital and operating expenditure costs, since a minimal number of employees can do a large number of tests.
The funding has been provided under the National Biopharma Mission of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).
Hasmukh Rawal, MD, Mylab Discovery Solutions, said, “We are very thankful to BIRAC for handholding us when no one believed us. With the funds, we would be able to accelerate our process of the production.”
Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT and Chairperson, BIRAC said in the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic, having indigenous supplies of qualitative RT-PCR test kits was identified as a critical need in enhancing the testing ability across the country.
“Therefore, scale-up of Mylab’s pathodetect production was a step DBT took early in that direction. This production line at Mylab manufactures a rapid, high throughput detection platform and is aligned with our prime minister’s vision of atmanirbhar Bharat,” she said.
In another statement, the DBT said it has been proactively working on the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, drugs and vaccines to combat the healthcare challenges posed by COVID-19.
The DBT has also taken several measures to facilitate research-driven and technology-based interventions on a fast-track mode.
“As a paramount effort to stimulate and facilitate research and development activity towards combating COVID-19, DBT has evolved a set of Rapid Response Regulatory Frameworks,” it said citing three notifications issued in March, April and May.