NBRIC elated as J Mitra’s indigenous COVID-19 antibody test kit gets ICMR nod

The serology-based total antibody (IgM, IgG, IgA) detection assay is based on the Double Sandwich ELISA principle.  The kit was developed with a significant contribution from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB).

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New Delhi: National Biomedical Resources Indigenization Consortium or NBRIC has announced that its member, New Delhi based J. Mitra and Co. has developed and launched an indigenous total antibody test kit called COVID-19 [IgM, IgG, IgA] MICROLISA test for Indian markets.
The serology-based total antibody (IgM, IgG, IgA) detection assay is based on the Double Sandwich ELISA principle.  The kit was developed with a significant contribution from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (ICGEB).
Serology based COVID-19 detection kits work on the central principle of pre-existing SARS Cov2 antibodies in blood plasma. It is a detection assay for the indirect diagnosis of past exposure to COVID-19. The kit has received regulatory approvals from both ICMR and DCGI for manufacturing. The company says it can currently manufacture 5 lakh test kits daily with existing facilities and can ramp up to double this capacity in a very short time.
C-CAMP CEO and Director, Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, also Convener of the NBRIC Governing Council, said “It is critical at this juncture to use serological tests to measure and track community risk. According to ICMR guidelines such tests will help us detect past exposure and guide containment zones. J. Mitra’s total antibody test kit could be a revolution in India’s serological tests market and strengthen the call for AatmaNirbharBharat in terms of testing capacity.”
Speaking on the launch and technical details, Jatin Mahajan, Managing Director, J Mitra & Company said, “This is the first of its kind total antibody detection assay kit for COVID-19. Using a combination of IgM, IgG and IgA antibody test increases the sensitivity, efficiency and efficacy of the test parameters. Because of this, the J Mitra COVID-19 test is a more potent diagnostic kit, providing an opportunity to fight the disease during the pre-symptomatic phase. The kit  has been developed after extensive in-house R&D and active support from ICGEB.”
Constituted by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and hosted, convened by C-CAMP, NBRIC is a collaborative Public Private Partnership to drive indigenous innovation focused on developing reagents, diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for COVID19 and beyond.