C-CAMP announces launch of National Diagnostics Catapult

The Catapult, C-CAMP InDx 2.0 aims to boost India’s preparedness for current and future pandemics and scale up India’s diagnostics space for infectious diseases including but not limited to COVID-19

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has launched the National Diagnostics Catapult (C-CAMP InDx 2.0) in presence of Dr Parvinder Maini, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India (GoI). The program is anchored by C-CAMP with support from the Bangalore Life Sciences Cluster (BLiSc) and funding from The Rockefeller Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and FIND, a global alliance for diagnostics.

The Catapult, C-CAMP InDx 2.0 aims to boost India’s preparedness for current and future pandemics and scale up India’s diagnostics space for infectious diseases including but not limited to COVID-19. Further, the Catapult is envisioned to set a global model for capacity building in the diagnostics domain in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to meet the twin goals of affordability and accessibility in the United Nations vision for Universal Health Coverage.

Welcoming the launch of this unique program, Prof. Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt of India said “I congratulate all of you at the launch of C-CAMP InDx 2.0, a National Diagnostics Catapult. PSA Office had a proximal view through the journey of CCAMP-InDx 1.0 and its eventual success towards enabling mass-scale accessibility and affordability for COVID-19 diagnostics. I am delighted C-CAMP is taking the next step to build on its Phase-1, to enable such global capabilities for infectious disease diagnostics, with the support of funders like BMGF, RF and FIND.”

Diagnostics play a key role in infectious disease management both at individual and community level. C-CAMP InDx 2.0 looks to address this dual need by enabling access through innovation, development & commercialisation of high-quality, affordable diagnostics and building a robust surveillance platform for rapid response by the public health system to disease outbreaks. 

C-CAMP InDx 2.0, builds on the hugely successful, India-wide COVID-19 diagnostics platform, Indigenization of Diagnostics (CCAMP-InDx) initiative launched in July 2020. In one year since its launch the program had achieved its target of 1 million indigenous RT-PCR test kits for SARS CoV2 per day, building capacity of more than 200 indigenous MSMEs and academic labs in the diagnostics ecosystem, the largest such cohort in the country. CCAMP-InDx has enabled development of 40+ regulatory approved RT PCR Kits and 12 RAPID tests, all in the market currently.

Director and CEO of C-CAMP, Dr Taslimarif Saiyed said “CCAMP-InDx was an initiative funded by The Rockefeller Foundation and guided by PSA Office. It was a collaborative effort of several centres of excellence in academia and large number of MSMEs in India. C-CAMP InDx 2.0 funded by The Rockefeller Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and FIND will build on this effort by emulating the hub and spoke model of CCAMP-InDx 1.0 to catalyse growth and global competitiveness in diagnostics for pathogens beyond COVID-19. Through C-CAMP InDx 2.0, the National Diagnostics Catapult, we will work with MSMEs, academic institutions, civic bodies, hospitals, data and informatics teams to make a strong impact towards India’s preparedness, capacity and diagnostics prowess. “

Dr Naveen Rao, Senior Vice President, Health Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation said, “As we witness the resurgence and unseasonal spread of several infectious diseases due to climate change, countries must strengthen diagnostic capabilities to prepare for and respond to outbreaks swiftly and efficiently. The Rockefeller Foundation is proud to support the National Diagnostics Catapult, which builds on the impactful work of CCAMP-InDx 1.0 that catalysed the growth of affordable and high quality diagnostics for COVID-19 in India.”

Dr Harish Iyer- Deputy Director, Digital and Health Innovations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said, “Of the many lessons learnt from the pandemic, the need for the rapid development and access to affordable and quality diagnostics was key. InDx 1.0 played a catalytic role in ensuring this for COVID-19 diagnostics. We are excited to partner with CCAMP to support the National Diagnostics Catapult Program which will build on and expand the capabilities built through InDx 1.0 to pathogens beyond COVID-19. This is particularly important to be able to address both existing and emerging public health challenges.”

Dr Sanjay Sarin, Vice President, Access, FIND, said, “COVID-19 has shown our vulnerability to pandemics and the vital role of testing as one of our first lines of defence against infectious diseases. While diagnostics have always been the cornerstone for early warning, response and containment, they continue to remain chronically inappropriate for global public health needs. More than ever, now is the time to build on advances catalysed by the COVID-19 pandemic and establish sustainable early-warning and response systems for known and emerging pathogens. FIND, is happy to partner with C-CAMP on the National Diagnostics Catapult, which will be instrumental in driving the development of innovative, home-grown, affordable and quality diagnostics to combat infectious diseases.”