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 The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP), hosted the first edition of National Diagnostics Conclave, at its Bengaluru campus. The objective was to chart out a collective vision and strategy for diagnostics innovation and implementation towards greater health equity for India and LMICs. The conclave also marked three years of progress of this flagship initiative and paved the way to the next quantum leap in diagnostics and pandemic preparedness beyond Covid-19.
The National Diagnostics Catapult Impact Report, was launched. The event also unveiled environmental surveillance kits for Real time detection of SARS CoV2, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza viruses and carbapenemase resistance in wastewater. The InDx Guidance Manual, which highlights key design principles and outlines India’s regulatory pathway for IVD devices was also released.
The three panel discussions were on Delivering National Priorities: Affordable Solutions for Diagnostics and Surveillance for National Programmes, Making it Happen: Enabling Diagnostics Developers and manufacturers for Impact and From Risk to Readiness: Enabling Pathogen Prioritisation and Pandemic Preparedness for India and Beyond.
Dr Parvinder Maini, scientific secretary, Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt. of India said “This programme has brought together diagnostic manufacturers and India’s leading research centres of excellence onto a single platform, enabling the identification and bridging of key regulatory and R&D gaps. It has also fostered innovation by facilitating access to reference standards and strengthening evidence generation systems, particularly for infectious diseases where data infrastructure has traditionally been limited.”
Dr. Nivedita Gupta, Scientist G and head of the communicable diseases division, ICMR, said, "We need to build a well-characterised biorepository to support manufacturers and developers in creating robust diagnostic kits. Establishing reliable reference standards is equally critical, and it gives stakeholders across the ecosystem a chance to come together and move forward together."
Dr. Harish Iyer, health R&D, digital innovations and AI, Gates Foundation, highlighted the importance of diagnostics in public health. He noted the Foundation’s commitment to ending preventable deaths, eliminating diseases, and driving economic progress.
Dr. Rakesh Mishra, director, Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), noted "There is a strong opportunity for India to position itself as a global leader in diagnostics and surveillance. Today's conclave can play a critical role in making that happen. They help connect industry partners, incubators, funders, and innovators, bringing together all essential components of the ecosystem."
Dr Taslimarif Saiyed, director & CEO, C-CAMP stated: “In February 2023, we launched the C-CAMP InDx National Diagnostics Catapult in collaboration with Rockefeller Foundation, Gates Foundation and FIND under the guidance of the OPSA with an aim to establish India’s much needed capacity for diagnostics and disease surveillance capabilities in infectious disease domain, beyond and over Covid. The C-CAMP InDx Catapult programme has now evolved into a comprehensive platform designed to support preparedness and innovation across every stage of the IVD development lifecycle. Through the conclave, we look forward to chart out a collective vision and strategy for diagnostics innovation and implementation towards greater health equity for India and LMICs.”
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