Bhat Bio-Tech launches test kits for Chikungunya, Ricin

Bangalore (India) based Bhat Bio-Tech India (P) Ltd has announced that it has got the technology transfer from Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE), an Indian defense laboratory of the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO), located in Gwalior for manufacturing rapid test for Toxin (Ricin). This is an immunochromatography based test which will detect the Ricin as low as 50ng/ml in the sample. This is claimed to be an ideal tool for field testing. DRDE is primarily involved in the research and development of detection and protection against toxic chemical and biological agents and is organized under the Life Sciences Directorate of DRDO.

In another development Bhat Bio-Tech launched the rapid test for the detection of IgM antibodies to Chikungunya virus in human serum or plasma. Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an insect-bourne virus, of the genus, Alphavirus, that is transmitted to humans by virus-carrying Aedes mosquitoes. There have been recent outbreaks of CHIKV associated with severe morbidity. CHIKV causes an illness with symptoms similar to dengue fever.

Bhat Biotech has also launched AIDSCAN HIV-1/2 Trispot Test. This is based on immunoconcentration principle and uses human serum or plasma and identifies HIV-1 and HIV-2 separately.

Transasia announces diagnostics to detect dengue

Mumbai-based Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd has launched its brand new product, Erba Den-GO (CE marked) to provide a user-friendly and rapid diagnostic method for detection of dengue infection.

The key advantages of this new test include a 15 minute procedure. The test allows presumptive differentiation between primary and secondary dengue with an overall accuracy of 99.3 percent according to the company officials. Transasia Bio-Medicals Ltd has a 100 percent subsidiary in Germany, Erba Diagnostics Mannheim GmbH, which has an important role in bringing such products within reach of laboratories across the globe.

This rapid test is designed to simultaneously detect and differentiate IgG and IgM antibodies to dengue virus in human serum, plasma or whole blood and comes in packing of 15 tests per box.

Panacea Biotec bags $34. 2 million order for pentavalent vaccines

Close on heels of receiving WHO pre-qualification in July 2008, vaccine major Panacea Biotec has received an Award Notification for supply of its Pentavalent vaccine- EasyFive for 2008 and 2009. The total value of the award is $34.2 million (around Rs 143 crore). EasyFive is claimed to be world's first fully liquid pentavalent vaccine introduced in India, which immunizes children against five dreadful diseases (DTwP+ Hep B+ Hib) of early childhood.

With this achievement, Panacea Biotec claims to have become the first company in India to get this award from UNICEF for its fully liquid pentavalent vaccine.

TCG commissions Kilo scale synthesis laboratory at Chembiotek

TCG Lifesciences Ltd has commissioned its cGMP kilo scale synthesis laboratory in Kolkata at Chembiotek, its discovery research services business unit. This represents a significant new step in establishing its fully integrated drug discovery and development research services offerings to the global pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. With the aim to support its clients' developmental needs by supplying material required for "First-in-human" clinical studies, this facility has been designed with reactor capacity ranging up to 200L and reaction capabilities ranging from -80 to +200 degree Celsius. "Chembiotek is an established global leader in providing high end chemistry and allied discovery research solutions to its customers. The addition of this cGMP compliant kilo lab will allow us to offer developmental chemistry services which would enable us to speedily and seamlessly transfer technology from our current chemistry labs to the kilo lab for scale-up, process development and optimization. This kilo lab will also serve as a robust platform for technology transfer to pilot plant scale," said Swapan Bhattacharya, Managing Director, TCG Lifesciences Ltd.

Avesthagen to set up new R&D facility in Bangalore

Avesthagen Ltd is setting up its new corporate headquarter and R&D campus in Bangalore. The new 14 storey campus spanning 400,000 sq.ft with an investment of Rs 160 crore will be built on a 2.63 acre plot in the International Technology Park Bangalore (ITPB), India. The new campus is expected to be ready by June 2010. The campus will house the company's lab and research facilities, work stations, service block and other facilities. Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell, Founder & CMD, Avesthagen said, "We are delighted to commence work on the new campus. Along with Ascendas we are proud to begin work on enhancing infrastructure facilities at Bangalore to make it a premier biotechnology destination globally. The center will provide a fully integrated technology platform and turnkey solutions for the production of various products to the biotech industry and the scientific community."