In a major scientific milestone, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under its Grand Challenges India (GCI) initiative at BIRAC, has announced the successful validation of India’s first indigenously developed Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test kits for cervical cancer screening.
These kits, developed by Molbio Diagnostics (Bangalore) and Mylab Discovery Solutions (Pune), mark a significant advancement in India's healthcare innovation and cancer diagnostics.
🔬 Key Highlights:
- Validated by: AIIMS New Delhi, in collaboration with NICPR (Noida), NIRRCH (Mumbai), and WHO's IARC.
- Technology: Chip-based RT-PCR point-of-care method.
- Targets: 8 high-risk HPV genotypes responsible for over 96% of cervical cancer cases worldwide.
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Test Kits:
- Truenat® HPV-HR Plus by Molbio
- PathoDetect by Mylab
🩺 Why This Matters:
- Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women.
- India contributes to nearly 25% of global cervical cancer cases.
- Annually, over 1.23 lakh new cases and 77,000 deaths are reported in India.
🌍 Global Context:
- WHO aims to eliminate cervical cancer by screening 70% of eligible women with HPV tests at ages 35 and 45 by 2030.
- These indigenous kits support WHO's goal by offering affordable, accurate, and accessible screening tools in low-resource settings.
🗣️ Quote:
“The validation of these kits marks a significant achievement in enhancing cervical cancer screening for women across India,” said Dr. Itendra Kumar, MD of BIRAC.
📌 GK Points for Competitive Exams:
- Organization behind development: DBT through GCI at BIRAC
- Validated by: AIIMS, NICPR, NIRRCH, WHO-IARC
- Cancer type targeted: Cervical cancer
- Technology used: RT-PCR-based chip testing
- Indigenous kits: Truenat® HPV-HR Plus and PathoDetect
- Global cervical cancer goal year: 2030 (as per WHO)
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