Ubio Biotechnology Systems develops SENSIT Rapid COVID-19 Ag Kit
The entire world has been severely affected by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The severity of symptoms that occur during the COVID-19 infection can range from undetectable to lifethreatening. The quick testing procedure involves antigen testing which provides the result for
hundreds of samples within a short span of time. The efforts of the Government of India have been commendable for making such rapid tests accessible and available to the citizens of the country. Several innovators and entrepreneurs have been working tirelessly for developing accurate, affordable and accessible testing kits for not only providing aid to the healthcare workers in such tough times for easy detection but also for boosting the biotechnology ecosystem in India.
Under the aegis of COVID-19 Research Consortium, DBT-BIRAC-supported product ‘SENSIT Rapid COVID-19 Ag Kit’ has been developed by Ubio Biotechnology Systems Pvt. Ltd. for qualitative detection of SARS CoV-2 Nucleocapsid Protein with an assay time of 15 minutes.
The samples are collected using nasopharyngeal swabs from the suspected individual. This ICMR-approved Kit is a chromatographic immunoassay, which allows the healthcare personnel to visually read the test result. The test works on the principle of sandwich immunoassay and utilizes a pair of monoclonal antibodies which when bound to COVID-19 specific antigen result in appearance of a coloured line. The Kit exhibits sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 100%, respectively and has a shelf life of 24 months. SENSIT Rapid COVID-19 Ag Kit has been successfully commercialised Such quick tests allow healthcare professionals to detect infected individuals quickly, saving their time and allowing them to provide better advice and treatment to the infected individual.
Contact Info: mii01.birac@nic.in, secy@psa.gov.in
Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1728428
Parisodhana Technologies develops hybrid multiply facemasks – An alternative to N95 respirator
COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc for humans across the globe. The first line of defense against the prevailing situation have been sanitizers, facemasks and adopting COVID-appropriate behaviour. Masks have been recommended by WHO to protect against and limit the spread of COVID-19. N95 facemasks especially have been considered more effective in reducing the transmission of COVID-19 virus from an infected person to a non-infected one. But the N95 facemasks prove to be uncomfortable for many and are mostly not washable
Parisodhana Technologies Pvt. Ltd. was supported partly by BIRAC and IKP Knowledge Park, under the Fast-Track COVID-19 fund to develop hybrid multiply facemasks, SHG-95® (Billion Social Masks). These ‘Made in India’ facemasks provide high particulate (>90%) and bacterial filtration efficiency (>99%). The facemasks so developed ensure high breathability, have comfortable ear loops, and are convenient to be used even in tropical conditions since they are prepared from purely hand weaved cotton contact materials. A special filtration layer is an added advantage. The cost of these hand washable and reusable facemasks has been estimated as Rs. 50-75 per piece by the company, making it affordable for general public.
With around 145000+ units sold, this initiative, which is also funded by Grand Challenges Canada, has been designed to meet the demands in times of COVID-19, while improving the livelihoods of many Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The founders of Parisodhana Technologies Pvt. Ltd. envision to create solutions to problems faced by the humankind through utilising applied research and affordable product development.
Contact Info: mii01.birac@nic.in
Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1725826
DBT-funded start-up Dozee offers AI-powered contact-free health monitor & step-down ICU
Dozee, a Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its PSU Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)-funded start-up offers contact-free monitoring of the vital parameters of the patients on a normal bed. The innovation has already resulted in the upgrading of over 4,000 hospital beds for Step-Down ICUs across 35 districts in India. In the last months, Dozee has already served over 30,000 patients, saved over 65,000 nursing hours and prompted over 750 timely ICU transfers through its Early Warning System.
Dozee is an easy-to-deploy solution to upgrade the normal hospital bed to a Step-Down-ICU. It records the micro-vibrations produced in the heart-beat and respiration cycle using Ballistocardiography when placed under a mattress. The device, using Artificial Intelligence algorithms, converts this data into vital signs like heart rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure. The device has 98.4% proven accuracy as a medical-grade product. The device also records oxygen saturation and ECG using accessories. The data can also be accessed remotely on any smart phone via an app. The data can also be monitored on a central monitoring dashboard.
Dozee also features an AI-powered Early Warning System that sends proactive alerts to clinicians, thereby reducing the nursing staff ’s workload and improving patient outcomes. The system also provides ICU-grade monitoring to every bed with no inconvenience of wires or
electrodes to the patient, thus improving the overall administration for patients’ care.
Through its Million ICU initiative, Dozee aims to improve public healthcare by utilising transformative technology to provide high-quality care to every individual. The company aims to upgrade 50,000 public hospital beds into Step-Down ICUs by raising CSR funds from several Indian and International organisations. This initiative will enable the hospitals to respond to the COVID-19 crisis and usher in a rapid and long-term transformation in India’s public healthcare infrastructure.
Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1726974
DST-supported disinfection system makes N95 Masks, PPE, medical gear reusable and reduces excessive COVID-19 bio-medical waste generation
A N95 Mask/PPE disinfection system developed by Mumbai-based startup, Indra Water, has been installed at multiple government hospitals across Maharashtra and Telangana.
The disinfection system called Vajra Kavach is significantly decreasing the cost of combating the pandemic by making PPE, medical, and nonmedical gear reusable and reducing the generation of excessive COVID-19-related bio-medical waste, thereby helping the environment. It is also making PPEs more available, affordable, and accessible.
The product uses a multistage disinfection process with advanced oxidation, corona discharge, and UV-C light spectrum to inactivate the viruses, bacteria, and other microbial strains present on the PPE with more than 99.999% efficiency.
Indra Water, the start-up which was initiated with the NIDHI-PRAYAS grant from DST (through SINE-IIT Bombay) for innovations in the water sector, used the Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) grant of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India to modify their technology to make it suitable for combating the COVID-19 infection. With support from SINE, IIT Bombay prepared themselves to manufacture and supply 25 disinfection systems per month.
The system has been validated and tested by the Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering at IIT Bombay and has been found to achieve more than 5 LOG (99.999%) inactivation of viruses and bacteria. It is also CSIR-NEERI approved and IP55 certified and is now being installed in hospitals treating COVID-19 patients across India.
Contact Info: abhijit@indrawater.co
Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1722192
iCreate-incubated start-up develops 3D-printed ventilator splitter for hospitals to fight COVID-19
The International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate), Ahmedabad, an autonomous Centre of Excellence of the Government of Gujarat, has developed 3D-printed splitter, which is a unique ventilator expansion device that allows a single ventilator to support up to two or four patients during a time of acute equipment shortage. It is specifically designed to bypass ventilator deficiency. Produced using 3D printing the device is developed with material already used in the existing medical devices and produced at minimum cost. The splitter is available either in 1 × 2 or 1 × 4 models.
Contact Info: info@icreate.org.in
Website link: https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Cloudphysician Healthcare develops tele-ICU platform to combat the shortage of ICU care during COVID-19
The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has further strained India’s pre-existing shortage of intensivists. Healthcare facilities are understaffed and underskilled to deal with the projected massive influx of critically ill patients. Bengaluru-based start-up, Cloudphysician, is using its tele-ICU platform, RADAR, which provides ICU expertise to hospitals that do not have 24/7 access to ICU specialist doctors.
RADAR digitizes and analyses patient data and provides clinical decision support to these super specialist doctors at the command center who then, together with the bedside team, ensure evidence-based care for ICU patients. Their technology is cost effective, easy to deploy, with a low barrier of adoption for even technology-naive healthcare providers.
Contact info: info@cloudphysician.net
Website link: https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
https://cloudphysician.net/
A start-up incubated at iCreate-Ahmedabad develops Venturi-valve respirator to help coronavirus patients
Venturi-valve is an airflow control device developed by iCreate-incubated start-up at Ahmedabad. It controls airflow by varying its annular orifice to modulate the flow of air. The cone is situated on an actuated shaft, which enables flow control through the full range (0%- 100%) of the valve. The valve uses the Venturi effect to generate under pressure in a tube consisting of three parts - a convergent section (nozzle), followed by a constant section (throat), ending in a gradual expansion (diffuser). Due to the oxygen flow under pressure generated in the nozzle, the air is sucked into the valve. The valve is powered with a stream of pure oxygen with a flow rate of 10 1 pm. Two streams mix in a diffuser - oxygen (100% O2) and air (21% O2) - resulting in high flow, high oxygen stream at the outlet. The proposed method of production and the valve is preferably SLA or FDM and the material is PLA or ABS which are ideal due to their non-reactiveness to the oxygen. It is a single consolidated 3D printed part requiring no assembly.
Contact Info: info@icreate.org.in
Website link: https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
https://www.icreate.org.in/
Carenation remote care delivery platform developed by Teslon Technologies
Carenation is an advanced remote healthcare delivery platform developed by Bengaluru-based start-up, Teslon Technologies Private Limited. The company offers two products, portable ICU Monitoring System and Patient App, for those quarantined and with mild symptoms.
Carenation teleICU carts can be remotely maneuvered or carried by duty doctors and nurses for a virtual visit into the ICU or isolation wards. The intensivist sitting remotely can instruct the doctors on the ground for interventions. This allows the intensivists to look into multiple ICUs and also reduce their risk of exposure. The system also has IoT capabilities to get all the data from patient bedside monitors and other equipment directly on to the doctor’s screen.
Website link: https://carenation.in/
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Start-up incubated at IIT Madras develops remotely monitored ICUs
zBliss Technologies Pvt Ltd, a start-up incubated at IIT Madras, has developed a remote ICU monitoring solution using IoT, cloud, and AI technologies with large-scale deployment capabilities, auto-triaging and sorting of patients based on acuity and specific workflows for COVID-19 and automatic reports and alerts (SMS, WhatsApp, Email).
Contact Info: covid19@zbliss.com
Website link: https://zmed.tech/
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Tamil Nadu-based Agribusiness Incubation Society develops OzGen18 (Ozone Disinfectant)
OzGen18 (Ozone Disinfectant) is a third generation dielectric barrier discharge technology which can disinfect bacteria, viruses, fungi, and moulds on the produce and meat by discharging ozone on the surface. Itwill purify water and remove pesticides and germicides from vegetables and fruits (produce). OzGen18 can be used as an excellent air purifier. This device also eliminates odours, reduces levels of airborne allergens, and also removes the wax coating on the fruits. It is portable and ready to plug in as it comes from the box. Its effectiveness depends on the amount of ozone that is dispersed and allowed to contact the vegetables and fruits (for removing pesticides) and ambient air.
Contact Info: cipam-dipp@gov.in
Website link: https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Viral Transport Medium Kit for COVID-19 developed by Genexis Biotech Pvt Ltd
GenVT Viral Transport Medium is a specially designed medium for transportation, storage, and analysis of viral sample developed by Genexis Biotech Pvt Ltd. GenVT is specially designed medium for transportation, storage, and analysis of viral sample. It is designed for maintaining viability and virulence of samples. GenVT medium contains HBBS (Hanks balanced salt solution) and antibiotics and antifungal agents to maintain pH and sterility of the medium. It also contains phenol red as pH indicator. The medium contains cryoprotectant which helps in preserving viruses, if specimens are frozen for prolonged storage.
Contact Info: info@genexisbiotech.com
Website Link: https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
https://genexisbiotech.com/
Tamil Nadu-based start-up, Effinland IP, develops Botanical Disinfectant Fogger
To control virus spread and stop the spread of virus to humans as well as to non-humans and as a cleaning agent to industrial application to clean of virus moles etc., Effinland IP identified smart herbal antibacterial disinfectant fogger spray systems, Botanical Disinfectant Fogger, to stop virus spreading and eradicate the virus, which has 19 herbs.
Contact Info: effinlandip@gmail.com
Website Link: https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
http://www.effinlandip.com/fogger.html
Amaya – Differential two-way ventilator splitter developed by Ethereal Machines
Start-up under the ‘Start-up India’ and ‘Make in India’ schemes by the Government of India, Ethereal Machines, develops two-way ventilator splitter called Amaya.
Amaya is a differential two-way ventilator splitter meant to be used as a last resort solution in the case of a COVID-19 surge. It can be used to multiply the capacity of the ventilators and helps in serving double the number of patients attached to a single ventilator
Contact Info: info@etherealmachines.com; cipam-dipp@gov.in
Website Link: https://www.etherealmachines.com/covid
Delhi-based start-up develops Portable Multifeed Oxygen Supply Ventilator (PMOSV-4)
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)-recognized Delhi-based start-up, Oshohealth R&D team has developed Portable Multifeed Oxygen Supply Ventilator for Emergency Respiratory Support to assist medical staff in the country in fighting COVID-19 pandemic. PMOSV-4 is already in service with Indian Air Force.
A typical oxygen providing facility at hospitals comprises of an oxygen cylinder, feeding only one patient through a Ventimask arrangement. At OshoHealth R&D, a suitable portable arrangement has been developed that could provide oxygen through existing Ventimasks with hospitals/medical support team to a number of needy patients using a singlecylinder during emergencies which is the need of the hour.
OshoHealth would enable one oxygen bottle to supply four patients concurrently thus enabling critical care management to a larger number of COVID patients with the existing limited resources.
Present oxygen supply facility at hospitals consists of an oxygen cylinder feeding only one patient at a time. In this period of COVID-19 pandemic, requirement is to utilise the limited available resources for maximum advantage
PMOSV consists of Oxygen Mother Cylinder, SS manifold, Inlet Pressure gauge, Opening/ Closing valve, Release Valve and Safety Valve and is mounted on four wheel portable trolley
Contact Info: info@oshohealth.com; cipam-dipp@gov.in
Website Link: http://oshohealth.com/multifeed.php
Vexma Technologies develops ERVA to combat COVID-19
Vadodara-based start-up, Vexma Technologies developed ERVA (Emergency Respiratory Ventilation Apparatus), which is a non-invasive (NIV) portable ventilation device is suitable for emergency response as well as personal care. It is an automated Bag Valve Mask (BVM) system which provides mechanical ventilation in a highly controlled fashion. It is a plug-and-play device that needs minimal training and any healthcare personal can operate it.
ERVA can be easily set up with 3 major parameters which are tidal volume, inspiration to expiration (I:E) ratio, and respiratory rate. It offers up to 8 hours of battery life and has built-in audio-visual alarms keeping safety first. With compact form factor and user friendly interface, ERVA bridges the gap between a manual Ambu bag and an ICU ventilator when they aren’t easily available.
The robust design delivers consistent airflow which makes it applicable to be used in tough emergency environments to treat COVID-19 or other respiratoryrelated emergencies. It can be used with or without oxygen in-line as per the patient requirement.
Present oxygen supply facility at hospitals consists of an oxygen cylinder feeding only one patient at a time. In this period of COVID-19 pandemic, requirement is to utilise the limited available resources for maximum advantage
Contact Info: info@vexmatech.com
Website Link: https://vexmatech.com/erva-ventilator.html
Mumbai-based start-up, Indra Water develops environment-friendly solution that reduces biomedical waste generation
A product aptly named Vajra Kavach removes the scourge of viral particles from equipment used by the Corona warriors. The disinfection system developed by Mumbai-based startup, Indra Water, removes any possible traces of the disease-causing SARS-Cov-2 virus from Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), N95 masks, coats, gloves and gowns. It thus enables reuse of PPEs and other materials used by healthcare workers and protects not only them, but our environment too, by helping reduce biomedical waste generation. It is also making the PPE more available, affordable, and accessible.
Viral load is reduced by one lakh times: “Our system is able to achieve a 1,00,000-fold reduction in the number of microorganisms; in scientific terms, tests showed that we got 5 log (99.999%) reduction of viruses and bacteria”, informs a proud Abhijit VVR., one of the cofounders of Indra Water. ‘Log reduction’ is a term used to signify the relative number of living microbes that are eliminated after a process such as disinfection.
The validation and testing of the system was done by the Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering at IIT Bombay. “Vajra Kavach went through a very long trial and testing process. It was tested with Escherichia virus MS2 (a single-stranded RNA virus and a well-known surrogate of human respiratory viruses such as influenza virus and coronavirus) and E.coli strain C3000. Full loads of the virus and bacteria samples were placed on a PPE. The PPE was then placed inside the Vajra Kavach. After the disinfection cycle time, the PPE was removed and the sample was rechecked to assess the growth rate and log reduction of the virus.” Abhijit informs that the system employs a multistage disinfection process consisting of advanced oxidation, corona discharge, and UV-C light spectrum to inactivate the viruses, bacteria, and other microbial strains present on the PPE, achieving more than 99.999% efficiency
Website Link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1723073
Multiple options for COVID-19 detection kits from start-ups on the cards through support of CAWACH Initiative of NSTEDB, DST
India will soon have the option of choosing from several COVID-19 rapid detection technologies that start-ups are working on currently.
A technology to conduct rapid molecular tests at small clinics, points of entry like airports, or small laboratories, a lab-on-palm platform for Rapid Antibody Test and a test kit with a reader enabling direct antigen testing in suspected COVID samples are some of them.
The technologies developed by some start-ups have been repurposed and extended for COVID-19 with support from the Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH), an initiative by National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), implemented by Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay.
Among 51 companies shortlisted for developing various COVID-19 solutions, 10 have been supported for manufacturing and wide-scale deployment of diagnostic kits and therapy solutions. Most of the technologies are under validation from ICMR and can be made functional once the validation and approval processes are completed and are granted.
Website Link: https://dst.gov.in/multiple-options-covid-19-detection-kits-start-ups-cards-through-support-cawach-initiative-nstedb
ARTPARK develops new AI-driven platform to facilitate early COVID interventions over WhatsApp
A new AI-driven platform will now help early intervention through rapid screening of COVID-19 with the help of chest X-ray interpretation over WhatsApp for doctors who have access to X-ray machines. The solution called XraySetu can work with low resolution images sent via mobiles. It is quick and easy to use and can facilitate detection in rural areas.
As COVID 19 continues to wreak havoc across the rural heartlands of India, it has become critical to drive rapid testing, contact tracing, and create dedicated containment zones. At a time when such tests take more than a week in some cities, the challenge is even more for rural areas. Easy alternative tests are necessary as RT-PCR tests also give a ‘false negative’ for some variants.
ARTPARK (AI & Robotics Technology Park), a not-for-profit foundation established by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, with support from the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, in collaboration with Bengaluru-based HealthTech start-up Niramai and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has developed XraySetu. It is specifically designed to identify COVID-positive patients even from low resolution chest X-ray images sent over WhatsApp.
Website Link: https://dst.gov.in/new-ai-driven-platform-will-facilitate-early-covid-interventions-over-whatsapp
Technology-based start-ups played crucial role in converting India from importer to second largest manufacturer of PPEs
A range of low cost innovative technologies developed and scaled up by start-ups from different corners of the country played a crucial role in India’s emergence as the second largest Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) manufacturer in the world in response to the battle against COVID-19.
PPEs like masks and face shields, especially those used by medical professionals as protection from infection as they tackle the health emergency, are crucial shield in the battle against COVID-19. India had been importing PPEs at the start of the pandemic period, but a range of technologies like affordable mask making machines, low cost masks, reusable anti-viral and anti-bacterial masks, safety masks specifically designed for health workers by start-ups, etc. helped the country to turn the tables and start exporting them.
Many of these start-ups were supported by the Department of Science and Technology under the Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) initiative by National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB).
Website Link: https://dst.gov.in/technology-based-startups-played-crucial-role-converting-india-importer-second-largest-manufacturer
More efficient and cost-effective face mask coated with virucial agents
Thincr Technologies, a Pune-based start-up developed Virucidal N-95 masks which has an additional layer of woven cloth coated with virucidal formulation. The formulation has been developed at Merck Life Sciences, Nerul Mumbai. The project is approved by Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for grant-in-aid support. They are also involved in the coating and 3D printing of anti-viral agents on the masks as a preventive measure against COVID-19. Having commenced commercialization of these masks, they have distributed 6000 antiviral-coated masks to various Government Organizations across the country.
Contact Info: szambad@thincr-tech.com
Website Link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1722636
https://thincr-tech.com/
Ultraviolet Sanitizers developed by Evobi Automations
Bengaluru-based start-up, Evobi Automations, has developed Ultraviolet Sanitizers in two different models, one of which is portable and distributed in various hospitals in Mumbai and Pune and various Government schools across the country. The project is approved by Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for grant-in-aid support. They have sold more than 500 UV Sanitizer boxes and are receiving orders from various organizations.
Many of these start-ups were supported by the Department of Science and Technology under the Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) initiative by National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB).
Website Link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1722636
Briota develops India’s first CDSCO-approved digital handheld Spirometer Kit
Pune-based start-up, Briota Technologies Private Limited has developed SpiroPRO - Critical care Home Monitoring Kit for healthy lungs. SpiroPRO is a home monitoring kit built to monitor lung health conditions of high-risk patients for 62 actively verifying fever, other respiratory symptoms, and lung capacity which can lead to an increase in susceptibility towards the COVID-19 virus.
Briota is using AI and IoT technology for monitoring elderly and comorbid patients for their health condition. Its Home monitoring and Remote Support for Comorbid COVID-19 positive or COVID-19 high risk patients performs patient stratification for early medical intervention. This will eventually help reduce the case fatality rate of COVID-19. The Spirometer test can be performed with the help of a mobile software application which walks you through the process. Additional parameters such as for pneumonia, ventilation, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, lung functioning etc. can be assessed.
Briota’s COVID-19 Early Warning (VIEW) system helps monitor and manage high risk comorbid patients. The VIEW score is based on a sophisticated clinical algorithm which will mature and become more accurate as the system starts collecting more and more data of the COVID-19 patients. It is low cost and made in India.
Website Link: http://www.briota.co/
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1722636
Website Link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1722636
Bengaluru-based start-up developed advanced video analytics to identify persons with abnormal body temperature
TDB-supported start-up, Cocoslabs Innovative Solutions Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru developed and commercialized a high-accuracy and contactless thermal analytics product for detection of elevated body temperature along with automated checking for face masks and social distance compliance. In India, it is the first company to launch a thermal analytics solution for automatic temperature checking in free-flow crowds, thereby eliminating waiting time and exposure risks. The solution can screen over 10,000 people in a single day with a single unit when deployed in crowded places like railway stations, airports, bus stands, government offices, hospitals, etc. It can also detect people not wearing a mask or improper mask-wearing.
The funding support from TDB allowed the company resources to be freed for working on new solutions. The company, which also has contactless attendance with face recognition along with thermal analytics up their kitty, is currently working with other companies that are looking to set up post-COVID compliance protocols by using this solution to reopen their offices. They are working on AI sensor for hospitals that will monitor oxygen levels in oxygen tankers and alert authorities well in advance to enable better planning by obtaining oxygen availability data in real-time and ensure equitable supply at critical times.
Website Link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1722636
IIT Madras start-up’s efforts to develop ‘Portable Hospital Unit’
With a contagious disease such as COVID-19, it is essential to have smart health infrastructure to screen, contain, and treat people. Unlike urban areas, rural areas do not have plenty of existing infrastructure that can be converted to hospitals. There it is difficult to construct buildings from scratch as the requirement is immediate. Wells Fargo, an American multinational financial services company, is providing funding support to an IIT Madras-incubated start-up called Modulus Housing to tackle this problem. The start-up has developed a portable hospital unit that can be installed anywhere within two hours by four people. Called ‘MediCAB,’ it is a decentralised approach to detect, screen, identify, isolate and treat COVID-19 patients in their local communities through these portable microstructures. It is foldable and is composed of four zones – a doctor’s room, an isolation room, a medical room/ ward and a twin-bed ICU, maintained at negative pressure.
Contact Info: secy@psa.gov.in; sapna.poti@gov.in
Website link:
https://static.psa.gov.in/psa-prod/psa_custom_files/All%20States%20v.04.pdf
Oxygen concentrators developed by Oxyheal Pvt Ltd
Oxyheal Pvt Ltd, incubated at Kongu Engineering College, Tamil Nadu, has developed oxygen concentrators that use Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to treat chronic wounds, which are wounds that do not heal over a long period of time. VIGYAN PRASAR 43 The device is portable and significantly easier to use and cheaper for the end-user in comparison to presently existing technologies. It can be used to treat COVID-19 patients whose oxygen level drop below 95%
Contact Info: manashsharma20@gmail.com
Website link:
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
http://oxyheal.co.in/index.html
IIT Kanpur – Nocca develops invasive ventilator with IoT-enabled features
Pune-based Nocca Robotics is engaged in designing and manufacturing robots that clean solar panel in a waterless manner. Using the Team’s extensive experience in electromechanical control systems in their regular business, they decided to contribute in nation’s fight against COVID-19 by designing a ventilator along with the active involvement and guidance from the incubator of IIT Kanpur. Nocca Robotics has developed a ventilator which operates in both invasive and non-invasive, pressure-controlled mode and solar-powered with low-wattage requirement. The ventilator will be permanently connected to a mobile phone which will be used to control the device and display critical information. The device does not require any form of medical air; it is capable of operating on its own in ambient air. There is also a provision of attaching an oxygen cylinder when required.
Website link:
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Cardea Biomedical Technologies develops indigenous Tele-ECG Machine
Cardea Biomedical Technologies Pvt Ltd has developed Accurate Tele-ECG on mobile which can help bring down the number of fatal heart attacks. Heart patients are more prone to COVID-19 severity. During treatment of COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine azithromycin, it is essential to perform ECG and calculate QTc evaluation; avoidance of non-essential QT-prolonging medications; and identifying and correcting electrolyte imbalances (potassium, magnesium, and calcium). ATOM ECG or Accurate TeleECG On Mobile allows capture of a medical-grade 12 lead ECG over a smartphone with immediate remote expert consultation. It empowers doctors, health workers and nurses to perform treatment of COVID-19 patients with confidence. The recorded ECG can be instantly sent to a cardiologist for their expertise before administering the drugs and also continue a follow-up during the course of the treatment.
Website link:
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Incredible Devices develops safe and affordable Catheter Reprocessing System
Shortage of medical devices at hospitals may happen due to lack of imports and logistics issues impacting manufacturing supply chain world-wide. Manual reprocessing of medical devices shall lead to higher rate of spread of infections, risking both patients and hospital staff. Incredible Devices Pvt Ltd, a Mohali-based start-up, has developed a Catheter Reprocessing System (CRS). It defeats the current challenges of manual cleaning of catheters. It is an automatic computer-guided catheter reprocessing machine with inbuilt self-testing and calibration which ensures best cleaning of catheters. Its inbuilt computer stringently monitors every process and effectively cleans catheters with precision and accuracy which is not possible with conventional manual method. It helps to eliminate all kind of human errors thereby ensuring safe and affordable treatment.
Contact Info: contactus@incredibledevices.in
Website link:
http://www.incredibledevices.in/index.html
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Blackfrog Technologies develops portable precision refrigeration system for transportation
Maharashtra-based start-up, Blackfrog Technologies Pvt Ltd developed a portable precision refrigeration system called Emvólio for transport of blood, serums, vaccines, etc. This technology has now been leveraged for transport of COVID-19 samples. A safe and controlled platform for the transport of nasal/throat swabs from collection centres/ hospitals to the certified testing centres has been developed for improving accuracy in testing and minimizing false negatives (arising from thermal degradation of viral specimens). This device will reduce the economic burden of wasted vaccines and optimize human resources in vaccine delivery by nullifying the need for repeated immunization visits to account for the administering of unviable vaccines. Importantly, the level of portability and ease of charging that it gains from being battery powered sets Emvólio apart from other models, which relies on less efficient and impractical means, such as frozen PCM, use of Ammonia or refrigerants, to generate cooling. Emvo´lio has a patented rapid-cooling technology that ensures temperature stabilization to safelimits over 96% faster than ice-based technologies, during temperature excursions (arising from operational requirements or human interference). In practical terms, this means minimal freezethaw cycles for the specimen and thus accurate results from testing. The rugged 2-liter-capacity cold chamber (as per WHO standards) is designed with dual-layered stainless steel 304 for corrosion resistance and easy sterilization.
Contact Info: info@blackfrog.in
Website link:
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Start-up at SINE, IIT Bombay develops ventilator to fight COVID-19 pandemic
Combat Robotics, a start-up from Pune, has developed Ventsa (Respiratory Aid) that has 70% features of a full-fledged ventilator to treat COVID-19 patients. It can be used in a car, in an ambulance or in an office in the COVID centres. It is portable and has a resuscitatorbased pumping mechanism which can have linear flow for the patients with ARDS; if the patient’s oxygen levels are average it can help the patient to maintain a safe position. It is independent of oxygen-moderate patients and also has a provision to attach an oxygen generator or an oxygen cylinder. It also has a battery backup for 3 to 4 hours which can help the patients in rural parts of the country where power cuts can happen. It has a seven-inch display where all key parameters can be seen with a settable touchscreen it can sink with patients’ inhalation and exhalation profiles to have them maintain the oxygen levels. They can have settable tidal volume, Tidal volume seamlessly from 100-800 mL; Control I/E ratio in all ratios 1:4 to 4:1; Battery backup With UPS; Provision to attach the automotive battery; Optimized Noise Vibration Harness parameters; Safety mechanisms like fault detection and alarms available.
Combat Robotics India Private Limited is a robot designing and manufacturing company with a key focus on innovation, integration, and militarization of high endurance reliable, rugged userfriendly robots mainly for life-saving applications.
Contact Info: gs@combatroboticsindia.com
Website link:
https://www.combatroboticsindia.com/
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Bengaluru-based start-up developed portable ventilator for coronavirus patients
Coronavirus causes respiratory distress in infected patients and has led to an increased need for ventilation infrastructure. Bengaluru-based start-up Biodesign Innovation Labs is providing a portable ventilator at low cost to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. RespirAID is a portable mechanical ventilation device that provides volume-controlled positive pressure ventilation to patients during emergencies, casualty, transport ventilation, ambulances and post-operative care. The device delivers all the essential ventilator parameters and can save lives of patients. Breath rate, TV, IE and PIP, PEEP is delivered with volume-controlled mandatory ventilation.
Website link:
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
https://df8k7gbekvfuy.cloudfront.net/innovations-6751-docs/RespirAID%20P... and%20Service%20Providers%20.pdf
Dripo: Smart infusion monitoring device developed by Kerala-based start-up
A Kerala-based start-up, Evelabs, has developed a device named Dripo, which is a wireless infusion monitor that can be clamped to an IV set to monitor drip rates. It acts as an intelligent bystander and sends information and alerts on the status of drip to nursing stations enabling nurses to monitor IV drips easily maintaining safety and efficacy. The device has a patented two-arms clamping mechanism at the rear side. The device is installed by simply sliding the device with the drip chamber in between the clamping arms. Once installed and set up the device will send data to a central hub installed at the nursing station, where rate changes and completion of every source will be alerted. The hub is also a smart infusion chart, where the status of every on-going and upcoming infusion and patient history w
Website link:
https://www.investindia.gov.in/bip/resources/innovations-against-covid-19
Ayu Devices develops Digital Stethoscope for COVID-19
Can medical equipment be designed in a manner that can keep doctors safe and cater to unique emergency requirements of the COVID-19 crisis? Several start-ups supported by the DST are showing the way with stethoscopes that doctors can use without touching the patient, oxygen concentrator that can help the hospitals generate their in-house oxygen, and portable and app-controlled IoT-based ventilator system. Several Indian medical devices manufacturers and indigenous automation companies took up the pandemic as a challenge and came up with innovative designs of ventilators, portable respiratory aids or devices for contactless diagnosis and monitoring of the patients. DST, through its CAWACH initiative scouted, evaluated, and supported promising ventilator, respiratory aids, and other vital medical equipment from five companies who have now taken their products to deployment stage.
Maharashtra-based start-up Ayu Devices is a technology-based healthcare company, incubated at Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay in 2017. It has developed a digital stethoscope that can help doctors listen to heart and lungs sounds while keeping at a safe distance from the patients. AyuSynk’s unique stethoscope design allows healthcare workers to perform auscultation while being protected in an isolation environment. It can be used with protective covers in the emergency department to reduce contamination when pre-screening admissions. AyuSynk can be used directly using earbuds or headphones via Bluetooth within the isolation room or to a consultant outside the room or send sounds via email or instant messaging. VIGYAN PRASAR 48 The device identifies abnormal sounds and helps diagnose patients. It is designed as a wireless module to enhance the Bluetooth range and help it to be controlled from a distance. While an existing digital stethoscope uses smartphone’s Bluetooth, their device works with an additional Bluetooth module to increase the range and consistency in the data. It is also fitted with filters to remove external noise for clear sound making it usable in Indian clinical settings where there is lot of background noise in OPDs. This has enabled doctors to listen to chest sounds while covered in PPEs which is not possible with conventional stethoscope. They are further scaling up the manufacturing to cater to the increasing need and have successfully commercialized the stethoscope for the telemedicine segment. The company has sold 1,000 units that have been deployed in many hospitals.
The initiative has been supported under ‘Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH)’ programme by National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Given the impact of COVID-19 globally and in India, there was an urgent need to support R&D efforts in this direction and end any further damage to the economy. During the first wave of COVID-19 in India, DST supported the innovations offering comprehensive solutions to fight the pandemic through the start-up ecosystem.
Website link:
Walnut Medical develops portable oxygen concentrator capable of generating oxygen in-house
A portable oxygen concentrator by Ambala-based Walnut Medical helps hospitals generate oxygen in-house. It is an intelligent, closed-loop system which monitors oxygen level and gives enough oxygen to the patient as per the patient’s need. It produces around 95% pure oxygen by nitrogen separation method and can be very helpful in these crisis times such that every hospital can generate oxygen in-house. This is the first oxygen concentrator made in India and is fitted with automated oxygen flow technology which will prevent patients suffering from hyperoxia. DST’s support, through CAWACH programme by NSTEDB helped them push their endeavour forward with 5-litre and 10-litre oxygen concentrator models and oximeter as well. Manufacturing of oxygen concentrators requires huge moulds and the support helped them invest on quality moulds to compete against products from Japan, USA and China. IIT Delhi incubation team worked with them to help the technology see the light of the day. Walnut Medical will be donating 50 oxygen concentrators to Government hospitals and then launch the product in the market.
Contact Info: contact@walnutmedical.in
Website:
Hyderabad-based start-up come up with a smart ventilation system - Jeevan Lite
The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to the huge demand for ventilators, as infected patients, especially those who suffer acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), are in a dire need of this life support system to aid their respiratory functions. A ventilator is the most widely used shortterm life support technique. It has been proven to be the defining intervention of intensive care medicine, especially in these critical times. Aerobiosys Innovations Private Limited, a company co-founded in 2019 by young Biodesign Innovation fellows of the Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE) and incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad aims to develop affordable life-saving medical equipment with advanced technologies for hospitals, medical institutions and individual practitioners. This Hyderabad-based start-up has come up with a smart ventilation system named Jeevan Lite. This smart ventilation system is a portable, cost effective, IoT enabled and powered by lithium ion batteries. It operates uninterrupted in SIMV, CMV, Adaptive and Hybrid modes of ventilation for 5 hours and is both invasive and non-invasive, with a smartphone app to control the device. It has been designed based on the turbine driven flow method which provides independence from gas cylinders or compressors. It also comes with an integrated nebulizer with auto cut off precise timer. Jeevan Lite features all the essential modes expected from an advanced ventilation system in one adaptable platform. It also presents a wide range of tools to help you stabilize the patient and wean them off the ventilator.
The system has intuitive UI design which provides each function in logical order so that clinicians do not need to navigate a complex menu. In addition, both the valves and flow sensor support autoclaving. This safety concept is designed to meet the current clinical trends of protecting patients even under the most demanding conditions. The system displays real-time information of the breath pattern and other critical lung parameters. It can attach to an oxygen cylinder and can operate on its own in ambient air. The accessories and consumables are especially developed for the highest possible patient safety and ease of use. This enables the hospitals and the institutes to choose between reusable and disposable parts, according to their institutional policies. The initiative has been developed with CAWACH support, a programme under the umbrella of NSTEDB of DST. The programme supports innovations in the areas of diagnostics, devices, informatics including bio-informatics and information management systems, any intervention for the control of COVID-19 and/or start-up ideas to address/mitigate various challenges faced by the country/society due to severe impact of COVID-19.
Contact Information:
Address: No.619, C- Block, IIT Hyderabad, Kandi, Medak, Telangana - 502285
Phone No.: +91-8850937581
Email ID: contact@aerobiosys.com
Website: https://www.aerobiosys.com/
Jeevtronics develops SanMitra 1000 HCT, hand-cranked defibrillator
Statistically, India’s death rate due to sudden cardiac arrest is 3 to 4 times that of developed countries. A defibrillator is mandatory in all nursing homes and is a critical instrument in ICUs and ambulances. In India, these devices are majorly imported, and many small nursing homes use refurbished devices to meet the regulatory requirements. However, there is a possibility of device malfunctioning due to various reasons. Also, the availability of defibrillators required in hospitals and ambulances is extremely low. Primary reasons are lack of reliable electricity, lack of affordability, poor quality refurbished devices, and high cost of battery replacement. Catering to this problem, Pune-based social and technology start-up Jeevtronics has developed probably the world’s first dual-powered bi-phasic defibrillator, SanMitra 1000 HCT. This defibrillator restores normal heartbeat by sending an electric pulse or shock to the heart. It is used to prevent or correct an arrhythmia, a heartbeat that is uneven or that is too slow or too fast. This works directly on AC mains as well as on a built-in hand cranked generator for treating sudden cardiac arrest.
SanMitra 1000 HCT is particularly useful for disaster-struck situations (e.g., COVID-19). Sequestration areas inside hospitals for COVID-19 victims need lots of defibrillators. It saves the cost of battery replacement (usually Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 35,000 per year) for the hospitals. It is designed to international IEC standards for medical devices and has been tested and approved by the NABL-accredited lab. It has been tested for 16,000 charge-discharge cycles thereby making it super long-life world-class product. It is designed to sustain the most stringent vibration and drop test standards so that the customers can be rest assured that they can install it in ambulances that travel on rough roads. Hopefully, this will significantly improve access to defibrillators in all low- and middle-income areas, which do not have reliable electricity supply. The initiative has been supported under ‘Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH)’ programme by NSTEDB, DST.
Contact Information:
Address: Karvenagar Pune, Maharashtra, India-411052
Phone No.: +91 98508 19688 +91 8605018280, +91 9970273771
Email ID: agawade@jeevtronics.com, ani@jeevtronics.com,
Website: http://www.jeevtronics.com/
Turtle Shell Technologies develops Dozee, MEWS-based alert mechanism
To withhold the tsunami of COVID-19 cases, India has 20 lakh hospital beds and only one lakh ICU beds. Coupled with the shortage of trained nursing staff, it has become nearly impossible to keep an active watch on the health of all the patients continuously, especially outside the ICU. Currently, hospital staff has to manually visit patients every couple of hours to measure their vitals. Without continuous monitoring, any deterioration in a patient's health can go VIGYAN PRASAR 51 unnoticed and lead to complications. Remote patient monitoring is rapidly becoming a way for hospitals and healthcare providers to deliver an enhanced level of quality patient care through the pandemic and beyond. From COVID-19 patient care, to post-surgical follow-up, to on-going care management for patients with chronic illness, there was a dire need for a clinical-grade technology to provide quality care safely and at scale.
Bengaluru-based healthcare start-up Turtle Shell Technologies launched a contactless remote patient monitoring solution, Dozee, for hospitals. The Dozee Pro Solution features an AIpowered triaging system which enables remote monitoring of patients outside of the ICU. It is a CE-marked, contact-free health monitor with clinical-grade accuracy with remote access and multi-parameter early warning score (MEWS)-based alert mechanism. It enables the continuous (more than 100 times per hour) and accurate monitoring of a patient’s heart rate, respiratory rate, and other clinical parameters like sleep apnoea and myocardial performance metrics without coming in contact with the patient. It comes with an industrial grade contactless sensor, communication pod, and cloud-based patient monitoring tool and the AI-powered triaging system that captures real-time body vitals and provides round-the-clock monitoring for patients who were previously manually monitored only every couple of hours. The Dozee Pro also features an extensible platform where it integrates with other devices such as SpO2 sensor, ECG, and temperature sensor to provide the entire suite of vitals parameters including oxygen saturation, body temperature, and ECG. The system continuously monitors a person's heart rate and respiration rate with the help of the system placed under the mattress, converting any bed into a step-down ICU without any cuffs or leads. It also connects to other Bluetooth-based peripherals like SpO2 and BP Monitor to provide access to more vitals remotely. This consistent stream of patient data aids the medical staff with early detection of patient deterioration and notifies the care team of any abnormalities before it becomes critical. Doctors and healthcare teams can remotely monitor the patients’ health from the centralized patient monitor, where at a time, hundreds of patients can be monitored from the web-dashboard and also from a mobile phone app. Custom alerts can be put on every patient, helping doctors optimize treatment plans, focus on deteriorating patients, and provide improved proactive care.
In the COVID-19 scenario, Dozee is playing a crucial part in continuous and proactive monitoring of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients in isolation wards and quarantine. It is also helping in monitoring at-risk patients at home and enabling doctors to continuously monitor their health. AI-based alerts are helping medical fraternity take timely actions. This has already proven lifesaving in more than 40 cases, helping flag cases of pneumonia, tuberculosis, and heart failure early. Apart from its use in hospitals, Dozee Pro also includes an integrated early warning system for patients in the post-discharge, outpatient settings and hospital-level home care settings. It helps patients, their family members, and healthcare providers with real-time data and alerts, enabling early identification of clinical deterioration.
The initiative has been developed with CAWACH support, a programme under the umbrella of NSTEDB of DST. The programme supports innovations in the areas of diagnostics, devices, informatics including bio-informatics and information management systems, any intervention for the control of COVID-19 and/or start-up ideas to address/mitigate various challenges faced by the country/society due to severe impact of COVID-19.
Contact Information:
Address: Turtle Shell Technologies, 587, First Floor, 9th A Main Rd, Indira Nagar 1st Stage, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560038
Email ID: contact@dozee.io
Website: https://www.dozee.health/
Haystack Analytics provides genome-based COVID-19 solutions
Genomics has become increasingly mainstream in clinical sciences. Next-generation sequencing has ushered in the age of genomics providing the tools to gather all the relevant data for an indepth inquiry and making simultaneous assessments possible. Today, genomics finds a footprint in identifying pathogens, antimicrobial resistance profiles, genetic disorders, oncology, and numerous non-communicable diseases. Genomics has the potential to translate into clinically actionable results that can help clinicians in making an early diagnosis. A start-up, Haystack Analytics, has developed genomic software solutions covering infectious genomics that take the turn-around time of genomics from weeks to days while preserving quality. This software is scalable to handle high sample throughput through an easy-to-use one-click format. The start-up also supports and builds capabilities in genomic analysis–from the right design, to selecting the right sequencing strategy and the right bioinformatic to apply as per the requirements. Although the start-up has been working on genomics analysis for quite some time, 2020 has become synonymous with the pandemic which has further strengthened the need to make genomics analysis relevant and available for infectious disease. Solutions are needed atscale genomic diagnostics for many diseases out there, one disease at a time.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, the start-up has made various genomics-based tools for contact tracing. They are sustainable and promote scalable identification of COVID-19 transmission, remote monitoring of transmission patterns, and also boost effectiveness of geospatial mapping of COVID-19 with genomic transmission mapping. The genomic analysis software specializes in infectious disease genomics bringing ease-of-use in analysing complex genomic data and transforming healthcare with automated one-click solutions. The services are driven by their experience in tuberculosis, infectious disease, epidemiology, molecular biology, and genomics. All the services are driven to pursue cuttingedge applications of genomics and support research and building genomic capabilities.
Some of the products developed are:
: 1. OTB - The OTB is a single test to give a complete genomic analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It identifies presence of resistance to 17 antibiotics, phylogeny, mixed infections, and hetero-resistance in 5 days.
2. ?ID - The OID is a single test to accurately identify >200 pathogens within 24 hours. The test covers bacteria, viruses and fungi that pose a significant threat to health.
3. ?AMR - The OAMR is a single test to identify the presence of antimicrobial resistance within 24 hours. The test covers all key antibiotic classes.
4. ?Gut - The gut microbiome is diverse and varies among individuals. It has wide-reaching influences in our physiology ranging from metabolism, immune modulation and neurological functioning. ?Gut identifies dysbiosis whose identification can help in taking corrective and preventive action.
Haystack Analytics has tried to narrow down the widening gap that exists between the vast amounts of genomic data that can be generated today using next-generation sequencing and the limited analytical outcomes of this data. With a focus on infectious disease, they have created a platform to provide clinically relevant interpretations of genomic data to enable better decision-making in healthcare. By applying current industry standard Big Data analytics solutions to biological data, their products are able to re-imagine data-mining, representation and visualization for genomics. Also, to make genomics data consumable for all general healthcare systems, they have managed to bring the solution directly to the users with their unique computing hardware, co-developed with Intel. The initiative has been supported under ‘Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH)’ programme by NSTEDB, DST.
Contact Information:
Address: Society for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SINE), IIT Bombay, IIT Area, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Email ID: contact@haystackanalytics.in
Website: http://haystackanalytics.co.in
Xequalszero spreads happiness amid virus-struck world
Chandigarh-based start-up Xequalszero has developed a mobile-based platform - TickTalkTo which aims at addressing mental health issues. TickTalkTo is an app which helps people access immediate psychological and psychiatric help. It aims to bring mental health services to hands of millions of people who otherwise do not go to a psychologist. It integrates psychological crisis intervention into the overall deployment of epidemic prevention and control and on the premise of reducing psychological damage caused by the epidemic and promoting social stability. This web tool is primarily used for psychometric assessments and online counselling and therapy. It has an exclusive COVID-19 mental health dashboard and uses advanced analytics to improve clinical outcomes. Launched on October 10, 2017, World Mental Health Day, it has a goal to break the stigma around mental health, by bridging the gap by providing private, confidential and anonymous therapy. It connects people with mental health professionals who can help them lead happier and healthier lives. The initiative has been developed with CAWACH support, a programme under the umbrella of NSTEDB of DST. The programme supports innovations in the areas of diagnostics, devices, informatics including bio-informatics and information management systems, any intervention for the control of COVID-19 and/or start-up ideas to address/mitigate various challenges faced by the country/society due to severe impact of COVID-19.
Contact Information:
Address: AIC ISB Association, ISB Mohali Campus, Knowledge City, Sector 81, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar-160062, India
Email ID: invest@ticktalkto.com
Website: https://ticktalkto.com/
Start-up at IIT Kanpur’s incubators develop oxygen concentrator
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), with the backing of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), has sanctioned the production of oxygen concentrators from one of its science incubators at IIT-Kanpur. The start-up, Indeema Fibres Pvt Ltd in Kanpur, along with its sister concern ChemDist Membrane Systems Pvt Ltd based out of Pune, will roll out its first batch of 5,500 oxygen concentrators by May 25.
Website link:
IISc start-up PathShodh gets regulatory approvals for COVID-19 test
PathShodh Healthcare, a start-up incubated at the Society for Innovation and Development (SID), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has made a significant breakthrough in developing a firstof-its-kind, semi-quantitative electrochemical ELISA test for COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies. PathShodh has received the license to manufacture the test for sale from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), after due diligence validation at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, as per the requirements of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The novelty of the technology is based on the measurement of electrochemical redox activity of IgM and IgG antibodies specific to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein (S1). The S1 protein has a Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) which latches on to the ACE2 receptors on the host cells before infection. Hence, antibody tests targeting the S1 spike protein are more representative of immune response against infection compared to those that target the Nucleocapsid (N) protein. PathShodh’s technique, which is protected through US and Indian patent applications, is also a major departure from the qualitative rapid antibody tests in the market, which are primarily based on the lateral flow ELISA technique.
This test has been developed by leveraging PathShodh’s Lab-on-Palm platform “anuPathTM”, which interfaces with disposable test strips functionalised with an immunoreceptor specific to COVID-19 antibodies. The results are automatically displayed by the handheld reader. Therefore, there are no subjective errors due to manual readout of test results, as in the current lateral flow assay test kits. The other unique features of this technology include on-board memory VIGYAN PRASAR 55 to store more than 1 lakh real-time test results, touch screen display, rechargeable battery, Bluetooth connectivity to smart phone and cloud storage, capabilities to map the patient data to Aadhar number and the possibility of connecting test data through APIs to Aarogya Setu. According to Vinay Kumar, CEO and co-founder of PathShodh, “This novel technology can detect COVID-19 antibodies all the way down to the nanomolar concentration. It can work with venous or capillary (finger-prick) whole blood sample as well as serum sample. We plan to deploy the product in the market in the next couple of weeks. PathShodh’s current production capacity is about 1 lakh tests per month, and we can scale this up further by augmenting the manufacturing infrastructure.” The funds for developing and commercialising this technology were provided by the DST, under its initiative on Centre for Augmenting WAR with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH). The technology development was also supported by SINE at IIT Bombay and IKP Knowledge Park, Hyderabad. The Society for Innovation and Development at IISc provided the seed funding for this development.
Contact Info: navakant@iisc.ac.in; vinay.k@pathshodh.com
Website link:
https://www.iisc.ac.in/events/iisc-start-up-pathshodh-gets-regulatory-ap...