The Indian diagnostics market has been swiftly evolving more than the years and it is emerged to be a essential element of the healthcare segment. The arrival of Covid-19 pandemic pushed the healthcare market to the sting worldwide by throwing several challenges, and for that reason the diagnostic sector also witnessed a huge transition throughout this phase. Whether it is about maintaining pace with the notion of telemedicine or addressing the alter inside the customer psyche, the diagnostic sector has been facing diverse challenges with the raise of covid situations. As COVID-19 has spread, India’s diagnostic sector has been battling the virus at the forefront. In conversation with TheSpuzz Neeraj Gupta, Founder and CEO of Genes2me shared his expertise and threw light on the challenges, learnings, and for that reason the road ahead for the diagnostic organizations in India. Excerpts:
How has the diagnostic sector evolved due to the fact the arrival of Covid-19? Being an market leader, what have been some initial challenges you faced?
Previously, the molecular diagnostic sector was not harnessed. We have seen that pandemic pushed the healthcare market to the edge, but India’s diagnostic sector rose to meet the challenges. As COVID-19 has spread, India’s diagnostic sector has been combating the virus at the forefront. Initially, the Indian wellness care program was not totally ready for such a huge crisis like COVID-19. We faced challenges with regards to imports for raw supplies and logistics due to worldwide provide chain disruptions. This is also one of the factors why we decided to use our experience in molecular diagnostics and expand the portfolio into IVD manufacturing.
How has Genes2me come to the forefront throughout the pandemic? Tell us about your journey of delivering 40 Million covid test kits in India to date.
We take pride in the truth that Genes2Me has been working at the front line from the really initial day of the pandemic. We created a number of IVD kits, which includes Real-Time PCR Kits, VTM Kit, RNA Extraction Kits, NGS Kits and multiplexed genotyping assays for COVID-19 detection in a fast turnaround time.
Our ViralDtect-II Real-Time PCR Kit for COVID-19 has been a true turning point. It was the initial Made in India Real-Time PCR Kit with extensive coverage of 3 genes that are precise to SARS-COV-2.
Also, there have been reports of new strains of SARS-COV-2 getting detected. Genes2Me has created a Unique Mutation Classifier assay that can swiftly differentiate 40 variants among 16 SARS-CoV-2 strains. This can support in the fast genetic screening of huge sections of the population.
Genes2Me have been working tirelessly and have delivered more than 40 million COVID-19 testing kits to date. Also, to meet the sudden demand surge of the second Covid wave, we ramped our manufacturing facility from 9million per month to 6 million per week. In truth, throughout this time, Genes2Me contributed more than 20% of the whole Indian testing requires for RT-PCR.
From exactly where the notion of stepping into manufacturing IVD kits came beneath the Make in India initiative? What have been the challenges and possibilities?
When the pandemic hit us, not several diagnostic labs had the vital infrastructure or accreditations to provide Covid testing facilities. As the pandemic gathered force, there was not only demand for more quickly testing but also testing in significantly larger volumes. The response to that struggle was the notion behind IVD kits beneath the Make in India initiative.
The Indian government has taken progressive methods to increase the capacities of the domestic IVD sector. Genes2Me is also working to collaborate with the government and prestigious healthcare institutes to provide services on the revolutionary classifier panel of SARS-COV-2. In this manner, we can all be greater ready to face the challenges posed by this virus regularly altering genetic makeup.
What changes should diagnostic companies bring to fight the pandemic and meet the current market demand?
Post Covid-19, we have seen the entry of many companies into the Molecular Diagnostics Testing and Kit Manufacturing segment. Unfortunately, not many companies have been able to deliver quality genetic solutions in a fast turnaround time. This is evident from the fact that around 10-15 players used to compete in the Tender queries of IVD products till last year. But now, only 4-5 bidders are participating in the Tender queries as most of the companies have failed to satisfy customer expectations of Quality Product.
If you want to build a sustainable diagnostic company, you should maintain Quality Manufacturing and Testing Standards. Genes2Me has responded by building capacities and training faster to keep up with the surge without compromising the sensitivity of Genetic Solutions.
What have been some recent developments and future plans of Genes2me?
Genes2Me is vigorously working to leverage the large installed base of molecular testing platforms across the globe. With the help of our expertise and access to advanced technologies, we have developed several assays for Infectious diseases, Oncology and Reproductive Health in India. In the past, most of these test panels were import-dependent from other countries.
In addition, under the Make in India initiative, we are working to develop diverse nucleic acid research and diagnostics solutions along with NGS reagents for genome sequencing. Again, these solutions were dependent on import from different nations.
Genes2Me has also ramped up Covid-19 testing facilities by installing more infrastructure, hiring manpower and training them meticulously to ensure smooth functioning. Our advanced high throughput Real-Time PCR testing Lab at Gurgaon, Haryana, has an unmatched capacity to perform 8K-10K tests per day.
How do you see the future of Genetic Diagnostics in India?
India has a population of more than 1.26 billion people, with 26 million births occurring every year. This means that the burden of a genetic disease is very high. With the help of genetic diagnostics, many diseases can be predicted with great accuracy. If genetic testing is done at the appropriate stage, some diseases can be prevented, cured or managed better.
Genetics diagnostics in India is on the verge of transformation. There has been widespread awareness and recognition of the increasing incidence of congenital and hereditary genetic diseases in urban India. More and more people are seeking genetic testing and counselling services. Genetic diagnostic in India will evolve from a niche speciality to a wide scope of applications for complex diseases and personal use.