India’s first exclusive diagnostic lab for autoimmune diseases launched in Kochi

Bengaluru: MedGenome Labs along with Care Hospital Kochi has launched IMMUCARE, country’s first exclusive “Autoimmune Disease related Tests and Research based advanced markers Diagnostic Laboratory”.

India is home to over 100 autoimmune diseases and is one of the top 10 reasons of death in women and children. Epidemiological data provides an evidence towards steady rise in autoimmune diseases in the past decade which would be responsible for over 14 million cases by 2020 in the country.

“Our immune system is a natural layer of protection in our body. However, due to certain genetic defects, our immune system becomes defective leading to what is known as primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID). One consequence of such disorders is susceptibility to infections”, said Dr Padmanabha Shenoy.

IMMUCARE would be the only center in our country dedicated to research, diagnostics and analysis of autoimmune diseases. The markers and tests of Autoimmune diseases will be primarily grouped under following specializations: Neurology, Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Infertility and Allergy. This joint venture aims at providing clinicians accurate, precise and timely diagnosis which will further help reduce adverse effect of autoimmune and associated ailments. “Autoimmune diseases cause substantial chronic morbidity; have a major impact on quality of life, health care utilization, and economic costs; and are associated with increased mortality. There is a huge unmet need for diagnosis as well as research on autoimmune disorders in India. Being a market leader in genetic testing, we have now collaborated with the most reputed Rheumatologist Dr Padmanabha Shenoy to provide our clinicians the best of diagnostics strengths and insights in the domain”, says Sam Santhosh, CEO & Founder MedGenome Labs.

Experts opine that genetics along with external factors such as environment, lifestyle and past infections contribute to autoimmune diseases. While the condition may be curable depending on the diseases, for most people controlling the diseases should be the primary goal. Autoimmune diseases lead to chronic illness and has a major impact on the quality of life, healthcare utilization, and economic costs. “This kind of diagnosis is supported with high end technology along with strong expertise of experienced clinicians, pathologists and scientists to address this need in India. At IMMUCARE, all the tests to diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases will be available under one roof”, added Dr Shenoy. IMMUCARE will cater to developing innovative, ground-breaking tests, products and tools to enhance patient care, and transform information into knowledge and insights.

The center of excellence has a strong focus on research in autoimmune diseases. “State of the art-technology to perform cell-based analyses, automated ELISA antigen-antibody tests, Immunofixation, blot-based assays, Advanced molecular based systems, genetic tests and Electrophoresis combined with a well experienced and committed team of professionals makes IMMUCARE unique.  IMMUCARE is committed to work with the clinicians for providing them to setup advanced markers for the field of Autoimmunity in our country for the benefit of patients. To support us on this venture, we have a team of medical advisors who are the experts in their respective domains,” says Dr Aparna Jairam, IMMUCARE Labs.

IMMUCARE would be assessing samples from all over the country and will serve clinicians including- Rheumatologists, General Physicians, Pediatricians, Gastroenterologists, Gynecologists, Andrologists, Neurologists, Nephrologists, Psychiatrists, Oncologists, Ophthalmologists, Dermatologists and all faculties in medicine.

While located at Kochi, the center has a pan India network for quick collection and transportation of samples for timely delivery of reports for patients.