Bengaluru start-up Bione Ventures Pvt Ltd, a B2C platform for genetic and microbiome testing has developed a home-screening kit for COVID-19, which reportedly delivers results in a few minutes.
Screening Kit being imported from the US
Founder of the start-up, Surendra K Chikara said:
“We are importing this screening kit from one of our partners in the US, which has secured USFDA approval for the product. In India, we have secured certification from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The screening kit can provide respite from the impending fear of the COVID-19 contagion.“
The simple kit produces results within a few minutes and is very useful, considering one does not have to step outside their homes to get a test amidst the lockdown. While up-to-date detection of the disease is one aim of the start-up, the kit can also act as a preventive measure by isolating the carrier of the virus without any delay.
The kit could be priced between Rs. 2000 and Rs. 3000
To make sure it is affordable for the common man, Surendra K Chikara said the kit will be priced around Rs 3000. However, the exact price will depend on the availability of the product on a global scale.
Working of the Kit
The kit is very simple to use, as mentioned by the founders. Once the user receives the kit, he will have to clean his finger using an alcohol swab and then use the lancet to finger-prick. From the blood-sample provided, the cartridge gives the results in 5-10 minutes.
While the company is focusing on supplying 20000 kits per week, there are plans to increase the availability of the useful product in the coming days.
