Neeri’s gargling test kit gets DCGI nod

Nagpur: The RT-PCR test kit for saline gargling, a technology developed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri), has got an approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
With this, the country can expect commercial manufacturing of ‘one-step RNA extraction buffer’ – an innovation of Neeri, soon. The innovation was developed by Krishna Khairnar, scientist and head at environmental virology cell, Neeri.
As reported by TOI earlier, Neeri has prepared a special buffer medium in which the collected sample is mixed. The sample is then incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature and subsequently heated for six minutes at 98 degree Celsius which gives a reasonably good RNA template for direct RT-PCR.
This innovation eliminates the need for conventional RNA extraction method which is costly and time-consuming.
Now with DCGI’s approval, Mumbai-based HiMedia Laboratories Pvt Ltd is expected to start manufacturing of the Neeri-designed one-step RNA extraction buffer. “DCGI’s nod is a recognition of Neeri-developed protocol and also an approval for commercialization and production of the technology. Various tests including stability, safety, etc are checked before giving the approval,” said officials.
HiMedia has also been manufacturing the saline gargle sample collection kit.
Following the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) nod, the commercial manufacturing of sample collection kits had begun. Apart from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and Zila Parishad Nagpur, private laboratories too have started implementing this process for RT-PCR collection.