Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka and Minister of IT, BT and S&T, Dr C N Ashwathnarayan visited Bangalore Bioinnovation Centre (BBC) on 14^th May 2020 and chaired the meeting regarding projects of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics going on within the facility. He also launched automated RNA isolation and isothermal amplification kit for COVID-19 developed jointly by BBC and SN Lifesciences incubated at BBC.

He mentioned “BBC has emerged as pioneer and top most institution of innovation and product development”.

Dr C N Ashwathnarayan asked the IT/BT department to set up a committee to ensure co-ordination between the government and private firms that are engaged in research work to come up with solutions to control the spread of Covid-19 as well as a cure for it.

He interacted with the young entrepreneurs and remarked "I am glad that all start-ups in BBC are working to find a solution to the pandemic. Some are at clinical trial stage while a few have already applied for with the competent authorities for conducting tests’’.

"This is a great sign for Bengaluru, Karnataka and India. A quick solution will help ensure a balance between life and livelihood," he added.

Managing Director - BBC, Dr Jitendra Kumar, informed that at least five more such products are ready for launch.