- The EnViro-Q real-time RT-PCR assay, developed by ICMR, enables cost-effective, rapid, and accurate diagnosis of multiple enteric viruses, offering a breakthrough in managing childhood gastroenteritis globally
- Diarrhea is the third largest cause of childhood mortality globally as enteric viruses are responsible for =40% cases of childhood diarrhea.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed a technology transfer agreement with Molbio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd., licensing the commercialization of EnViro-Q, India’s first multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay for detecting enteric viruses. Developed by ICMR’s institute, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (NIRBI), Kolkata, this breakthrough diagnostic tool addresses a critical gap in managing viral gastroenteritis in children.
Through this collaboration, Molbio Diagnostics aims to make EnViro-Q accessible worldwide, particularly in public health sectors, under a revenue-sharing model with ICMR. EnViro-Q will be made available at a cost-effective price, particularly for the public sector.
As one of the leading causes of childhood mortality, viral gastroenteritis has posed persistent diagnostic challenges. Existing methods often misidentify viral infections as bacterial, leading to the irrational use of antibiotics. EnViro-Q, with comparable sensitivity and specificity to commercial imported assays, offers reliable results within 2-2.5 hours, ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment.
“We are honoured to collaborate with the Indian Council of Medical Research on making EnViro-Q available worldwide, as it addresses a critical gap in diagnostics for childhood gastroenteritis,” said Shiva Sriram, President, Business Development at Molbio Diagnostics. “This innovative solution enables accurate, rapid, and affordable detection of enteric viruses, significantly reducing misdiagnosis and unnecessary antibiotic usage. We are committed to making healthcare accessible worldwide and are confident that EnViro-Q will play a transformative role in improving patient outcomes across diverse healthcare settings globally.”
“The development of EnViro-Q represents a milestone in our mission to advance diagnostic technologies that meet the specific health challenges faced in India and beyond,” stated Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR. “By equipping healthcare providers with a reliable, multi-virus detection tool, we are addressing one of the leading causes of childhood mortality. Our non-exclusive collaboration with Molbio Diagnostics will help us bring this essential tool to the global market as it emphasizes our commitment to enhancing public health through accessible and impactful solutions.”
By providing an effective method to detect co-infections and prevent repeated testing, EnViro-Q is poised to greatly enhance diagnostic capabilities in primary healthcare settings.
About Molbio Diagnostics:
Molbio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. is a leader in revolutionizing point-of-care diagnostics globally. With a commitment to providing rapid, reliable, and robust diagnostic solutions, Molbio brings advanced healthcare technologies to the remotest areas. The company’s flagship Truenat®️ real-time PCR platform is globally recognized and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), enhancing infectious disease management worldwide. Molbio is dedicated to improving healthcare accessibility and quality with innovative diagnostics that meet global standards. Please visit https://www.molbiodiagnostics.com/ for more details.
About ICMR:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research. It is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world. ICMR’s research priorities align with the National health priorities. These efforts are undertaken with a view to reduce the total burden of disease and to promote health and well-being of the population. ICMR promotes biomedical research in the country through intramural as well as extramural research. Visit us at https://www.icmr.gov.in/
