Bengaluru-based Syngene, an integrated research, development and manufacturing services company, has taken the lead in proactively conducting free COVID-19 tests for its 5000 employees in Karnataka. As the number of new cases worldwide continues to escalate, the case for increasing the level of testing strengthens and these tests will ensure the highest safety standards for employees.

The free COVID-19 tests are being conducted at the Syngene testing facility in Bangalore that was set-up in April 2020, in order to support the government initiative to increase testing. The main objectives of increased testing are to facilitate faster access to medical care; rapid testing and quarantining of primary contacts; greater protection for vulnerable populations; and, as a result, achieving a reduction in infection transmission. Increased testing has the additional benefit of reducing anxiety for individuals by providing greater certainty about their infection status.

Syngene is working with more than 50 employers in and around Bangalore including Cipla, Tata Aerospace and Defence, a representative body of 200-member organizations in the Electronic City area to offer COVID-19 testing to their employees. With many months of experience, the company offers advice on supporting employees, practical COVID measures on site, evidence-based workforce planning and business continuity planning.

With the broad range of scientific expertise in relevant disciplines available at Syngene, the company is also working to supply reagents, primers and probes for COVID-19 diagnostic testing to clients. Syngene is also working on research projects related to vaccine development which could represent a longer-term solution for fighting the coronavirus pandemic.