Tata Group To Launch Indias First Low Cost Covid-19 Test Feluda

Ankita Singh

September 20, 2020

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Saturday gave approval for the commercial launch of India’s first Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) coronavirus test ‘Feluda’, developed by the Tata Group and CSIR-IGIB (Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology).

We’re all set to put up a tough fight to #COVID19. The Tata CRISPR test, powered by @CSIR_IND and @IGIBSocial, is the world’s first diagnostic test to deploy a specially adapted Cas9 protein to successfully detect the virus. #ThisIsTata #MakeInIndia pic.twitter.com/AbW2jcoac1

— Tata Group (@TataCompanies) September 19, 2020

This test uses an indigenously developed, cutting-edge CRISPR technology for detection of the genomic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 virus, said the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in a statement.

The Tata CRISPR test achieves accuracy levels of traditional RT-PCR tests with quicker turnaround time, less expensive equipment and better ease of use. With this announcement, there is little hope that by using futuristic technology, testing for COVID-19 will get easier for people.

Commenting on the development, Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO, TATA Medical and Diagnostics Ltd said, ‘The approval for the Tata CRISPR test for COVID-19 will give a boost to the country’s efforts in fighting the global pandemic. The commercialisation of Tata CRISPR test reflects the tremendous R&D talent in the country which can collaborate to transform India’s contributions to the global healthcare and scientific research world.’

Anurag Agrawal, the director, CSIR-IGIB, shared that the work started by CSIR under the sickle cell mission for genome diagnostics and therapeutics led to new knowledge that could be harnessed to quickly develop a new diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2.

The Tata Group has worked closely with CSIR-IGIB and ICMR to create a high-quality test that will help the nation ramp up Covid-19 testing quickly and economically, with a ‘Made in India’ product that is safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible.

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