The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology made an agreement with SpiceHealth to allow the use of its dry swab direct RT-PCR Covid-19 testing technology.
CSIR-CCMB has developed the innovative, direct Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction technology which lets faster testing of samples for Covid-19. The MoU with CSIR-CCMB is for conducting these tests in SpiceHealth’s mobile testing laboratories.
The method received Indian Council of Medical Research's approval.
The procedure has the potential to scale up Covid-19 testing 2-3 fold with no additional resources while significantly reducing the time and costs of such tests.
SpiceHealth said it will be the first to launch the dry swab direct RT-PCR Covid-19 testing in India.
Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, CSIR-CCMB said, “The dry swab testing method will be a game-changer during this Covid-19 pandemic. This is safer, faster and cheaper than the current testing methods, while not compromising on quality.”
The dry-swab direct RT-PCR method eliminates the new kits requirement. No additional training needed for the persons conducting the test.
Normally, the swab samples are placed in a liquid called Viral Transport Medium. These samples are packed heavily to avoid leakage, thus increasing the processing time at the collection and testing centres.
Dry-swab testing eliminates this process while also not requiring RNA extraction.