IVD advancing beyond the lab and the need for blood samples

Mumbai: Lord’s Mark has launched its first online lab which offers patients the option of ordering for genome tests online. The online lab enables patients to visit the website to order tests. The tests are patient-friendly with no blood required. The tests are saliva-based and can be done at home. The tests are delivered to the patient’s doorstep within 48 hours and after the patient completes the test a reverse pick-up is arranged.

The test kit is delivered to the testing lab within 48 hours where the turn-around time (TAT) is two and a half weeks. Once the analysis of the sample is complete the report is mailed to the patient's registered email ID. Commenting on what is done once the patient receives the report, Subodh Gupta, CEO, Lord’s Mark Microbiotech shared, “We give them an option of counselling by our trained genetic counsellors who are available for a session to make the patient understand the report as the report can be slightly technical in medical terms. So we give the help of a genetic counsellor who helps the patient understand the report and what they should do, in the coming time, to prevent themselves from the disease, and how it can be genetically predisposed.”

The prevent errors while performing the test a booklet is provided with the test kit with instructions on how to collect the sample. The margins of error are very low and in case there is an error the patient/customer is provided with another test kit at a nominal fee.

On spreading awareness about preventive diagnostics, Gupta shared, “If you want to educate people about preventive testing, the test has to be patient-friendly. So, even when somebody wants to do it for their children of three or four years, there is no problem because for every child a technical place specimen or a sample is much much easier than, drawing blood with the help of a phlebotomist.”

Saliva-based tests will help people come forward and get tested. The test can be performed by the patient or they can visit their doctor or healthcare centre and get tested, the test can be performed in 30 seconds.

Sharing insights on the need for preventive tests he elaborated, “We have learnt since our childhood that prevention is better than cure. So, if one takes the preventive test and analyses it, if they are genetically predisposed towards developing cancer or if some family members may have developed this kind of condition, the probability of having a genetic condition, where chances of developing cancer are quite high. If diagnosed early one can make lifestyle changes, be more cautious, go for regular cancer screening and make lifestyle changes.

Gupta also shared that there is a need to spread awareness of preventive testing and make lifestyle changes to remain healthier for longer. He further commented on how the cost and affordability of preventive tests will be reduced in the future. Gupta stated, “Today the cost of genetic testing has come down, especially the preventive genetic testing. Going forward I foresee the accessibility of preventive genetic testing which was far-fetched earlier, we will be able to make it available to almost every strata of society in the country.”

Sharing his views on how diagnostics are no longer limited to the lab, Gupta stated, “The way science is progressing, especially with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI). Genetic tests can be performed at home, one doesn’t need to go to a lab.”

Commenting on the load of chronic diseases rising in the country primarily because of genetic predisposition, Gupta shared that they plan to venture into tier III cities in the next two years. He said, “Any individual may have a genetic disposition, with the growing economy, even in the Indian population, awareness regarding health has gone up to a great extent, especially during the pandemic where people have realised that health is very important. There are endeavours to create an awareness, regarding preventive testing that would be a little higher as compared to the metro towns of the tier I towns.

Transitioning from curative to preventive health, genetic testing will play a vital role in identifying the predisposition of individuals to various disorders and diseases and as technology advances these tests will become more accessible and affordable. There is also the possibility of these tests becoming dynamic to the extent that one test can check for multiple diseases.