The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved two indigenous tuberculosis diagnostic tools from Huwel Lifesciences a PCR-kit and a non-invasive test card to make TB detection quicker, more accessible, and up to 20% cheaper.
Glimpse:
ICMR validated Quantiplus MTB FAST, an open RT-PCR assay by Huwel Lifesciences (Telangana), that works on any standard PCR machine and can process up to 96 samples. Alongside it, UniAMP MTB Nucleic Acid Test Card offers a non-invasive tongue swab alternative to sputum, especially useful for children and elderly. These tools aim to expand TB diagnostic capacity across public labs and reduce delays and costs.
In a boost for India’s battle against tuberculosis, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has validated two new indigenous diagnostic tools developed by Huwel Lifesciences (Telangana). One is Quantiplus MTB FAST, an open-system RT-PCR kit that can run on any PCR device (not restricted to proprietary machines). It is capable of testing up to 96 sputum samples in a batch, offering rapid molecular diagnosis for lung TB. Analysts estimate that using this kit could reduce test costs by about one-fifth.
The second tool is UniAMP MTB Nucleic Acid Test Card, also from Huwel Lifesciences, which allows detection via tongue swabs instead of sputum. This is especially significant for populations who struggle to provide quality sputum samples, such as children, the elderly, or those very ill. Tongue-swab diagnostics open possibilities for better screening in communities and potentially at the doorstep.
These new tools build on existing molecular diagnostics in India, including Truenat and PathoDetect, which are already helping decentralize high-precision TB testing. The emergence of open-system molecular assays and non-sputum based diagnostics strengthens India’s ability to detect TB early, begin treatment sooner, and control spread also improving access in rural or resource-limited areas.
ICMR officials noted that the rigorous validation process ensures that these tools meet standards of sensitivity, specificity, usability, and throughput required for large-scale adoption. With faster diagnosis, lower dependency on specialized machines, and more patient-friendly sampling, these tools are expected to contribute significantly toward India’s TB elimination goals.
“These new indigenous tools are a game-changer they mean earlier detection, lower cost, and wider reach for TB diagnosis even in labs without high-end equipment.”
By
HB Team
