Tata Medical and Diagnostics Ltd (TataMD), the healthcare venture from Tata Group, has announced the commercial launch of TataMD CHECK, a novel diagnostic testing for COVID-19. TataMD CHECK is powered by FELUDA, a CRISPR Cas-9 technology that was developed in India by CSIR- IGIB for COVID testing. It is the world’s first CRISPR Cas-9 based diagnostic tool to be launched globally.

Within a short span of 100 days from licensing the technology to its commercial launch, intense collaboration between the CSIR-IGIB team, other reputed scientific research bodies and the Tata MD R&D team helped develop, a compelling end-to-end diagnostic solution that will set the new standard in testing.

TataMD CHECK has been approved by Indian Council of Medical Research and Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and will be available through diagnostic centres and hospitals across India shortly.

Advantages of TataMD Check testing are:

Simplicity: It is a paper strip-based test with an image-based visual result read out. It requires standard laboratory equipment and small batches of tests can be conducted.

Quick Results: Fast reaction time of 45-50 minutes in the laboratory and the total testing time from RNA-extracted sample in the lab to result is 75 minutes only.

Scalability: Ability to provide high quality, quick results using standard equipment and minimally trained staff allows for rapid adoption and scale with potential to reach remote locations of the country.

Digital backbone: Continuous quality control using sensors and AI-based result reporting tool will help patients and authorities with the evidence of test, traceability of the sample and results accessible anywhere on cloud storage.

Commenting on the launch, Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO, Tata Medical and Diagnostics said, “With TataMD CHECK, we are committed to significantly enhance the testing experience of the consumers as well as work with laboratories and hospitals to ensure wider availability and easier access to testing.”

TataMD Check test kits will be manufactured at a quality-controlled production facility near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The production plant presently has a capacity of producing one million kits in a month.