SpiceHealth to be first to launch CSIR-CCMB’s dry swab direct RT-PCR COVID-19 testing in India

Signs MoU with CSIR-CCMB; dry swab RNA-extraction free testing to be introduced across SpiceHealth mobile laboratories; will reduce testing time by 1.5 hours and significantly reduce cost

SpiceHealth has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIR – Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), India for conducting dry swab Direct Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests in its mobile testing laboratories.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently granted approval to CSIR-CCMB to commercially use the game changing technology of dry swab RNA-extraction free COVID testing method that has the potential to scale up testing by 2 to 3 fold with no additional resources and significantly reduce the time and costs of such tests.

The dry-swab direct RT-PCR method is easy to implement as it eliminates the requirement of new kits and doesn’t require any additional training to be provided to the persons conducting the test. Generally, the swab samples are placed in a liquid called Viral Transport Medium (VTM). The samples are packed heavily to avoid leakage which increases sample processing time at both the sample collection and testing centres. However, dry-swab testing eliminates this process and also doesn’t require RNA extraction.

Dr. Rakesh Mishra, Director, CSIR-CCMB said, “The dry swab testing method will be a game-changer in testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The method is safer, faster and cheaper than the current testing method without compromising the quality of test results. We are very happy that SpiceHealth will use this technology in their mobile testing labs, and benefit large number of people.”

Dr. Shekhar C Mande, DG-CSIR and Secretary DSIR said, “My compliments to scientists and students of CSIR-CCMB involved in developing this simple but elegant solution that cuts down the time, cost, effort and improves safety and output of the Covid-19 RT-PCR diagnostics. Through the partnership with SpiceHealth, CSIR is happy to contribute to the enhanced COVID-19 testing in the country during the pandemic.”

A health care company founded by the promoters of SpiceJet and led by Avani Singh, SpiceHealth’s first mobile testing laboratory was inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Sh. Amit Shah and Hon’ble Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, at ICMR, AIIMS on November 23.

As per a release, the company’s first mobile testing facility offered the most affordable RT-PCR testing at Rs. 499/ and since then, the company has scaled up to five functioning labs at government requested locations around Delhi NCR, conducting 10,000-15,000 tests per day.

Speaking about the advantages of the method, Avani Singh, CEO, SpiceHealth said, “The dry swab method, developed by CSIR-CCMB, will reduce testing time by 1.5 hours, significantly reduce cost and further revolutionise RT-PCR testing. SpiceHealth is proud to be the first Indian laboratory to incorporate this method into its labs.”