The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved & allowed the commercial launch of ‘Feluda’, a COVID-19 test developed by the Tata Group and CSIR-IGIB (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology).

The test met the high-quality benchmarks with 96 percent sensitivity and 98 percent specificity for detecting the novel coronavirus, as per a joint statement by Tata Sons Private Limited and the Ministry of Science & Technology issued Sunday. It uses an indigenously developed, cutting-edge CRISPR technology for detection of the genomic sequence of SARS-CoV-2 virus, it added. CRISPR, a technology developed by CSIR-IGIB (Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology), is a genome editing technology used to diagnose diseases. This CRISPR test reportedly achieves accuracy levels of the traditional RT-PCR tests with quicker turnaround time. The test uses less expensive equipment and is easier to use.

CSIR’s statement further adds “The Tata CRISPR test is the world’s first diagnostic test to deploy a specially adapted Cas9 protein to successfully detect the virus causing Covid-19. This marks a significant achievement for the Indian scientific community, moving from R&D to a high-accuracy, scalable and reliable test in less than 100 days. The Tata CRISPR test achieves accuracy levels of traditional RT-PCR tests, with quicker turnaround time, less expensive equipment, and better ease of use. Moreover, CRISPR is a futuristic technology that can also be configured for detection of multiple other pathogens in the future”.

This is the world’s first diagnostic test to deploy a specially adapted Cas9 protein to successfully detect the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. “The approval for the Tata CRISPR test for COVID-19 will give a boost to the country’s efforts in fighting the global pandemic. The commercialization of the Tata CRISPR test reflects the tremendous R&D talent in the country, which can collaborate to transform India’s contributions to the global healthcare and scientific research world,” stated Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO, TATA Medical and Diagnostics Ltd.

Dr. Anurag Agrawal, Director CSIR-IGIB expressed delight that work started by CSIR under the sickle cell mission for genome diagnostics and therapeutics led to new knowledge that could be harnessed to quickly develop new diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2. He emphasized that this shows the interconnectedness of scientific knowledge and technology and the innovation of the young research team led by Dr. Debojyoti Chakraborty and Dr. Souvik Maiti.