IIT Guwahati's 'Made in Assam' world class viral transport media kits launched

GUWAHATI: ‘Made in Assam’ world class and affordable viral transport media or VTM kits, which are the first stop source used to collect the nasal and oral swab specimens from the individual source to the laboratory safely for culture and testing, developed by IIT Guwahati have been put to use in the state from Wednesday.
The "SPILD" VTM kits developed at IIT Guwahati, consist of a comprehensive solution specially formulated for the collection and transport of SARS-CoV-2. These kits comprise of a CDC recommended and validated transport medium and one each Nasopharyngeal and Oropharyngeal specimen collection swabs. The complete package is suitable for the collection, transport, maintenance, and long-term freezer storage of viral specimens,” a statement from IIT Guwahati said.
"The unique formulation of the transport medium helps in preserving the viability of viruses for up to 72 hours (at refrigerated temperatures). The swabs have been designed ergonomically with a pre-molded breakpoint on their shaft for enabling secure sampling, the statement added.
In addition to the sterile "SPILD" VTM kits the institute has also developed "SPILD" RNA isolation kits and "SPILD" RT-PCR kits jointly with RR Animal Healthcare Ltd. which are imperative to safely isolate the RNA from Covid-19 virus. The large scale production of all these kits has commenced to meet the requirement of the Assam State as well as will be made available across the country.
According to a statement from IIT Guwahati, "Due to the huge demand for these kits and the high price associated in their timely procurement, the National Health Mission (NHM), Assam had approached IIT Guwahati for their development and procurement. The requested kits were already under development stage and on knowing the immediate requirement of these kits in high quantity, the research teams led by Prof. Parameswar Krishnan lyer, Prof. Siddhartha Sankar Ghosh from IIT Guwahati and Dr. Labanyamoy Kole of RR Animal developed these kits as per the standards laid down by the GMCH and have already delivered them 950 VTM kits, which have now been tested and validated."
"The 'Made in Assam/India'kits will spur affordable and high quality healthcare products development in Assam and provide access to world-class kits and product development as well as career opportunities to healthcare professionals and student and an important step in PM's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan", the statement added.
Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma after launching the kits here on Wednesday said, "Assam has been successfully leading the fight against Covid-19 pandemic and our initiatives have gone a long way in containing this disease in the entire NE region. We want to identify and contain this disease at an early stage and it is vital that we have all the crucial kits and materials so that our frontline healthcare workers and doctors who are doing a commendable job do not face any hurdles. We are very happy with this product development and launch of the VTM and other kits.”
Speaking about this timely and remarkable development, Prof. T. G. Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, “IT Guwahati is thankful to Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma for launching these VIM kits, specially developed by IITG on request from the state government.”
He added that IITG has been in the forefront in this fight against COVID-19 and has been supporting the Assam state government in this time of pandemic. On receiving the request from Director, NHM to provide these VIM kits, the institute immediately acted upon this request and began production of these sterile and affordable VIM kits and the first batch have already been delivered to GMCH.
“IITG is leaving no stone unturned in making the country self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan) as mentioned by the Hon'ble Prime Minister and is fostering relations with the industry in healthcare products manufacturing in Assam,” the director said.
RR Animal Health Care Limited (MSME) is a Research Oriented Indian MNC, now based at Research Park, IIT Guwahati with major focus in Animal and Human Health care specialities, with a belief that the ongoing concept of 75% of the emerging diseases in humans may have been originated from animals and it is time for the Veterinary Health scientists to work coherently for improving human health and to contribute as an integrated effort towards “Human-Animals Plants” in “One Planet-One Health and we are One".