Sets up biotech firms-govt coordination panel
BENGALURU:
Bio-technologists in Bengaluru are in a race with their peers worldwide to come up with a rapid testing kit and even a vaccine against the coronavirus.
On Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ashwath Narayan visited the Bengaluru Bio Innovation Centre, where 45 start-ups are working round the clock to find a vaccine as well as fabricate a rapid testing technology.
“I am glad that all the start-ups here are working tirelessly to find a solution to the pandemic. Some are at clinical trial stage while a few have already applied to the competent authorities for conducting tests,’’ the Deputy Chief Minister said.
To ensure proper coordination between these companies and the government, he directed Additional Chief Secretary (IT and BT) EV Ramana Reddy to constitute a coordination committee.
Robot ‘collector’
Dr. Narayan unveiled a programmable robot that can separate the saliva from the swab instantly. The robot developed by S N Life Sciences can handle 8 samples at a time.
He appreciated the technology developed by Neuome Technologies which enables on-the-spot testing within 5 minutes for asymptomatic as well as symptomatic cases. He also visited the Centre for Human Genetics and Bio Informatics.
